Racing: Stablemates hope for better conditions at Ruakaka

Desert Imp and Chessee showed their readiness for Ruakaka on the weekend when they galloped stylishly at Matamata yesterday.

Working on a firm sand, Desert Imp (J. Collett) gave Chessee (Coleman) a start of several lengths and finished on terms after 1000m in 1:02.2 and a final 600m in 35.6. It was smart work by the Moroney-Melton stablemates, who head north on the weekend in the hope of better track conditions.

Another for Ruakaka, Rhythm Method (Dowling), worked in good style on the course proper, which was very heavy 25 metres out. He strode over 1200m in 1:27.6 and maintained a solid gallop to complete the final 600m in 41.7.

Sands of Time (Waddell) and Serve To Lead (Ritchie) cut out 1000m in 1:12.3 and the last 600m in 42.

Back on the sand, First Up Fred (Verry) turned in a good trial for tomorrow's local meeting when running 1200m in 1:21.8 and 600m in 38.6. Jazzy Annie (J. Collett) completed her preparation for tomorrow with 1000m in 1:08.8, the final 600m in 39.8.

Bonnie Parker (Dowling) looked well when sent over 1200m in 1:21.2 and 600m in 38.8. Full Frontal (Coleman) covered the same distance in 1:22.8 and 39.4, Bob Blu It (M Brosnan) took 1:24.8 and 40.6, and Cut The Cake (Coleman) 1:23.8 and 37.8.

Tyson (McKay) and Bold Contact (Gorham) wasted no time over 1000m in 1:01.2, the last 600m in 37. Stiletto Queen (Grayson) took 1:07.6 and 38.2 for her 1000m, while Eight Belles (S. Collett) clocked 1:06.2 and 38.8, Casey May (Russell) 1:10 and 41.2, and Waitui Bay (Rastrick) 1:10.2 and 40.4.

Ravanelli (C. Thornton) and Lord Lowther (Ikee) ran a sound trial for tomorrow with 1200m in 1:21.2, the final 600m in 39.2. Patrol (P. Brosnan) took 1:24.2 and 39.6 for the same distance, while Viaggio (Davidson) recorded 1:22.6 and 38.

Lord Latitude (Tait), a form runner for Ruakaka, turned in good work over 800m in 51.8, the last 600m in 38.2. Kowhai King (Tetzlaff) and Wisteria Lane (J. Collett) began steadily over 1200m to clock 1:26.2 and quickened for a final 600m in 38.3.

Jokers Wild (Coleman), who will gallop between races tomorrow, was restricted to 1000m in 1:10 and 600m in 40.2. Calveen (Rastrick) was also contained when covering 1200m in 1:3, the 600m in 45.2, and Danska Mill (Hain) ran her last 800m in 59.4 and 600m in 42.

Nordic Dancer (Russell), who looks bright after a Queensland spell, quickened in her work to run 1200m in 1:24.9 and 600m in 41.2. Do Me A Favour (Coleman) took 1:11.2 for 1000m and 40.8 for the final 600m, while Hi Flyer (Tetzlaff) ran the same distance in 1:09.2 and 40.6, and Irish Nova (Gartner) 1:17.4 and 45.2.

* Mandela drew attention to his prospects of a bold first-up race at Ruakaka on Saturday when he galloped at Pukekohe yesterday.

Working on a slushy sand, Mandela (Fearon) moved quietly away from the 1200m and quickened to run the last 1000 in 1:3.4 and 600 in 36.8. He improved nicely with his run at the Te Teko trials last week.

Cooperator (Bradley) ran 1600m, the last 1200 with Prince Chetak (Evans) in 1:16.3 and 600 in 38.9.

Al Vialli (Evans) and Le Gold Rays (Bradley) sprinted 1000m in 1:3.6, the final 600 in 37.7.

Punt Higher (Judy Collett) and Divining Rod (Singer) finished 1000m in 1:6.7, the last 800 in 52 and 600 in 38.4.

Echo Maid (B. Yuill) strode 1200m in 1:18, the last 600 in 38.3.

Minimistamena (D. Johnson) ended 600 in 38.4.

The Sportsman (Hutchinson), who will race at Matamata tomorrow, went 1200m at three-quarter pace, the last 600 in 44.8. He has been freshened since his run of solid form in mid-winter.