Racing: Princess ready to stage a Coup at Matamata

Princess Coup drew attention to her prospects in the Robin, Duke of Bedford Matamata Breeders' Stakes when she galloped stylishly at Matamata yesterday.

Galloping on a good plough, Princess Coup (T. Harris) began steadily to run 1000m in 1:08.2 and was full of running at the finish after a final 600m in 37.8. She looked sharp with blinkers added and will also wear them tomorrow.

Race rival Naturo (Waddell) was not asked for a lot, coming from the 800m in 58.2 and the 600 in 41.5. She also looks well primed for the weekend. Skimmio and Squall, who along with Princess Coup give Mark Walker a strong hand in their home track feature, got through their assignments in good style.

Squall (Sapsworth) ran a smart 1000m in 1:04.6, the last 600 in 36.2, while Skimmio (T. Harris) was unextended over the same ground in 1:08.3, the last 600 in 38.5.

Darci Brahma (Walker) was allowed quiet work before travelling to Otaki, covering 1000m in 1:10.6 and the last 600m in 41.3. Race rival Kristov (T. Thornton) got through solid work on the all-weather track, with his last 1000m cut out in 1:04.8 and the final 600m in 36.2.

On the same track Noel Harris looked the part on Kerry O'Reilly when putting him through his paces over two rounds, quickening readily for a final 1200m in 1:21.9 and the last 600m in a deceptive 37.5.

Pentane (C. Ormsby), who follows the same path to the Auckland Cup by racing on his home track on the weekend, was well held over 1200m in 1:27.8 and 600m in 43.2. Shikoba (Upston), who continues to thrive, did almost identical work when clocking 1:28 and 43.3.

Captain Kurt (Hillis) looked ready for a bold fresh-up run on the weekend with a bold 1000m in 1:07, the last 600m in 38.5. Race rival Kay's Awake (McKeon) went with The Trickster (Tanner) over 1000m in 1:06.9 and 600m in 39, while Madamvizelle (Betty) cut the same distance out in 1:05.8 and 36.8. .

Valley Chief (M. Brosnan) strode over 1200m in 1:21.4, quickening for a final section in 37.7. The Bighearted (Coleman) prepared for Otaki with 1200m in 1:23.7, the 600 in 38.2, while Classy Belle (Dowling) took 1:19.5 and 37.2, Faltaat Gold (P. Brosnan) 1:19.8 and 38.2, and Tinkerbeel (Ramsay) 1:18.8 and 37.7.

Habana (P. Ormsby) and Beersheba Knight (Hillis) turned in sound work over 1000m in 1:04.2 and 600 in 36.2. Devoted (Cheshire) prepared for the weekend with 1200m in 1:18 and 600 in 37.2, while Ballymore Lass (Carmine) left 1000m behind in 1:04.4, the 600 in 36.4.

Overflo (Waddell) ran in from the 800m in 58.2, quickening slightly for a final 600m in 41.4, while stablemate Toomevara (Ritchie) showed his paces over the same ground in 49.6 and 36.2, and Mellicious (M. Carston) and Every Reason (Smellie) clocked 50.3 and 36.

Tsarina Belle ('Sullivan), who may resume at Ellerslie, strode over 1200m in 1:26.3, quickening for a final 600m in 38.4. Crepe de Chine (O'Sullivan) looked ready for Ellerslie when running 1000m in 1:04.8 and the final 600m in 36.6.

On the all-weather track Taalenta (Gillies) covered the last 1200m of her work in 1:24.2 and 600 in 41.3, while Sand Dancer (Hercock) and Fun N Fashion (T. Thornton) ran 1000m in 1:06.2, the last 600m in 37.9.

* Rapid Rielle worked nicely enough at Pukekohe yesterday to suggest she could be a place chance at generous odds in the feature race at Matamata tomorrow.

The Jim Hatton-trained filly ran 600m on a fast sand well within herself in 40.2. She has drawn reasonably well at No 5.

Italia, who will start from the outside, No 13 gate, was given a slightly easier task, running 600m in 41.6. She has the class to overcome the wide draw.

On a fast plough, Sedecrem strode 1200m in 1:19, the last 600 in 39.

Alberton Rose ran the final 600 strongly in 37.

Sheezasport, another drawn badly in the Robin, Duke of Bedford Stakes, was given a quiet 600m in 43.7.

Towzee, the other Collett-Hapeta runner at Matamata, had the same task and clocked 43.1.

Abbey Drive and Gallions Reach continued their Mercedes Derby preparation with a gallop at Te Aroha on Tuesday. Working about 15m out on a firm course proper, they ran the last 1200m of 1600 in 1:15, 1000 in 1:1.5 and 600 in 36.5.