Racing: Rivals impress before Ellerslie clash

Race rivals Charliehorse and Bashful turned in sound trials for Ellerslie when they worked at Matamata yesterday.

Galloping on a good plough, Charliehorse (.T Thornton) strode over 1200m in 1:21.8 and hit the line full of running after a final 600m in 37.2. Stablemate Bashful (T. Thornton) was keen in her work over 1200m in 1:20.4, the last 600m in 37.8. The pair of last start winners give trainer Lance O'Sullivan a strong hand in the Lindauer 3YO on the weekend.

Tan Tan (Verry) caught they eye with a deceptive 1000m in 1:00.4 and a final 600m in 35.6. He is worth another chance in the R76 1400m tomorrow.

Seventh Heaven (Dowling) was not after time but still impressed with 1200m in 1:23.4, the last 600m in 39. Race rivals Better Boy (Teggert) and Cut The Cake (Davidson) also worked soundly when running separately over 1200m in 1:21.2 and 39.2 and 1:28.4 and 40.2.

Lady Attire (Coleman) was working well at the end of 1200m with Love Explodes (Carmine) in 1:15.8, the 600 in 36.2. Arniston (Smellie) led Brooklyn (Ritchie) to the end of 1200m in 1:20.5, the 600 in 36.8.

Ellerslie maiden candidate Snip (Bridgeman) went with Small Talk (O'Sullivan) over 1000m in 1:05, the 600 in 37.6. Over the same distance Total Control (Teggert) took 1:06.4 and 39, Brave Landing (Ramsay) 1:05.8 and 36.5, Ballymore Lass (Carmine) 1:07.2 and 38.9, and Arlington Boulevard (T. Harris) and Pinstinct (Sapsworth) 1:05.8 and 37.2. Mer De Chine (Wells) and Red Baron (Liu) wasted no time over 1200m in 1:16.4, the last 600 in 36.2

On the all-weather track Kristov (Thornton) was allowed to stretch out over the last 1000m of his work in 1:05.2, the last 600 in 37.6. He is in good order for Awapuni, where he will be ridden by Jason Waddell.

Logarhythm (Gillies) prepared for Ellerslie with 1200m in 1:19.4 and 600 in 39.6. He also appears to have come through holiday racing in good shape.

* Cruncher and Abbey Drive drew attention to their chances at Ellerslie tomorrow by the way they completed their final trials at Pukekohe yesterday.

Working a on fast plough, Cruncher did well to finish on terms with top sprinter Sedecrem after 1000m in 1:2.8, the last 600 in 36.9. Sedecrems' next race will be the Telegraph Handicap at Trentham.

Abbey Drive shaded Sir Kinloch after 1000m in 1:4.3, the last 600 in 37.7.

British Made again worked freely to run 1200m in 1:17, the last 600 in 37.9.

Members of Cydne Evans' team all hit out boldly. Le Gold Rays dashed 800m in 49.9, the last 600 in 37.5; Time Warp finished 600 in 37.2; and Al Vialli ran her 600 in 37.6.

Birthday Hill, the likely favourite for race 1, was let off with a round of pacework.

On a good sand, Bon Ace went 600m in 39.6, pace really on only for the final 400.

St Verdi and Domenico were given a quiet 1000m, taking 1:10, the last 400 in 27. Mr Jinky finished 600 in 39.3.

* Verna was again in fine form in her final hit-out for Ellerslie this weekend, when working at Cambridge yesterday.

Galloping on the sand Verna (Seguin) ran easily to the 600m and sprinted home in 40.

Irish Sting (Norvall) worked in from the 600m in 40.2. Mendent (Holmes), an improving two-year-old, was comfortable at the end of 600m in 42. Penstar (Seguin) left 600m behind in 42.4. Command and Conquer (Seguin), who has compiled a good record in Melbourne, was sent an easy 800m in 57.3.

Working on a good plough You're My Angel (Hills) came in from the 600m in 42.2, Our Flying Beauty (Robson), a Marton candidate, was not extended when completing 1200m in 1:28, the last 600m in 41.2. Andari Flyer (Houston) completed 1200m in 1:27, the final section in 43.3. Sienna Wave (Waters) strode 1200m in 1:27.6, the last 600m in 42.2.

Chief's Coming First (Whitworth) and Divertimento (Richards) matched strides over 600m in 43.5. Sir Edward (Gardiner) was timed from the 600m in 41.6. Cypress Point (Calder) came in from the 1200m in 1:25.5, the concluding 600m in 41.8.

Carnegie Salad (Johnson) cut out 1000m in 1:7.9, the final 600m in 40.1. Stablemate Satire (Cornish) followed in 1:11.1 and 41.3.