KEY POINTS:
Insouciant looked on track for a return to form in the Desert Gold Stakes at Trentham on Saturday when she worked in dashing style at Matamata yesterday.
Galloping on a fast plough, Insouciant (Ramsay) had pace on to run 1200m in 1:17.2, 1000m in 1:02.6 and the final 600m in 35.2.
Even allowing for a tail wind that helped her up the straight, it was impressive work by the Mark Walker-trained filly, who will be chasing further Filly of the Year series points in Saturday's three-year-old feature.
Stablemates Huluava (Gray) and Noble Manor (S Collett) were paired in eye-catching work over 1000m in 1:01 and 600m in a brilliant 34.3.
A wide draw kept Huluava at home last weekend, while Noble Manor is sweating on a run in the Karaka Million.
Matamata's three candidates for the Century City Developments Wellington Cup all worked in solid fashion. Resolution (Russell) set off from the 2400m mark and was timed from the 1200m in 1:20.4, the 1000m in 1:05.2 and 600m in 37.
Young Centaur (Smellie), who shares third favouritism with Resolution, was partnered by Pacific Eire (McFetridge) over ground, covering the last 1200m in 1:17.4, 1000m in 1:02.6 and 600m in 36.9.
Bold Contact (Colgan) worked with Desert Gold Stakes candidate Special Mission (McKay) over the last 1200m of his work in 1:18.2, 1000m in 1:03.8 and 600m in 37.2.
While by no means the fastest times of the session, all three Wellington Cup candidates looked fit and bright in their work.
Desert Gold Stakes runner Bella Valentina (Yusof) worked well with Thorndon Mile candidate Shariats On Fire (Russell) over a solid 1200m in 1:15.5, 1000m in 1:01.2 and 600m in 35.9. Promising juvenile Winning Way (Horner) shaped up well over 1200m in 1:14.2, the last 1000m with Our Cannavaro (Leung) in 1:01.4 and 600m in 35.8.
Tinseltown (Yusof) did good work over 1200m in 1:16.8 and 600m in 35.7. Over the same ground Il Divo (Waddell) was unextended in 1:20.5 and 38.3, Pure Reason (Dowling) and Als Angel (Gartner) clocked 1:16.7 and 36.8, and Courtney (Thornton) and Gin Dartre (Bosson) 1:20.8 and 37.4.
Pack A Paddy (R Jones) and Chocolate Tux (Yusof) stretched out well over 1000m in 1:04.3 and 600m in 36.6, while Blue Suede (McFetridge) showed dash in 1:02.6 and 35.5.
On the all-weather track, Pretty Vegas (Brett) prepared for Ellerslie on Sunday with 1200m in 1:21.8, the last 1000m in 1:05.9 and 600m in 37.2. Stablemate Cotillion (Hillis) was never at top over 1000m in 1:06.2 and 60m in 38.8. She will be out to complete a hat-trick at Ellerslie.
Dangle Ya Carat (Jago) and Santaurian (Lammas) strode over 1200m in 1:23, 1000m in 1:07.6 and 600m in 37.6.* * *
Van Dam and Cetelle were paired in a smart gallop at Cambridge yesterday.
Working on a firm plough Van Dam (Seguin) and Cetelle (Wilson) matched strides over a steady 1000m in 1:5.1, sprinting the 600m in 36.2.
Eebee Pop (Whitworth) and Between Friends (Gillies) were together after completing their final 600m in 36.8 Altogether (O'Styke) was timed from the 600m in 37.1.
Desert Fox (Horner) left 600 behind in 39.1. Selena Belle (Satherley) came to the end of 1400m in 1:34.6, finishing off in 38.3. Academy (Drummond) was timed from the 800m in 56.6, the final 600m in 41.4. A Stravinsky juvenile (Calder) and a Zabeel (Mickey), both two-year-olds from Don Sellwood's stable, breezed up over 200m in 12.4. Laughing Girl (Walsh) worked quietly around before sprinting 600m impressively in 36.1. A Stravinsky filly (Norvall) from Roger James' barn covered 1200m in 1:28.6, the last 600m in 42.2.
Hagar (Whitwoth) completed 1000m in 1:5, finishing off in 37. Bag of Lollies (Satherley) worked nicely over 1200m in 1:18.7, sprinting the final 600m in 36.8. Far Too Much (Whitworth) and Tatlock came to the end of 1000m in 1:3.9, coming home in 36.2.* * *
Concerto showed his readiness for Sunday's Karaka Million at Ellerslie with an exceptional gallop at Pukekohe yesterday.
Ridden by Sam Spratt and wearing blinkers, Concerto led Mirandola (Colson) in the finish of 1000m on the all-weather sand in 59.8, the last 800 in 47.9 and 600 in 36.5.
Concerto was sore in a hindquarter after finishing fourth at Ellerslie on Boxing Day and local equine therapist Clare McGowan worked on the colt several times with an excellent result.
All trainers Richard Yuill and Steve Goodin want now is, understandably, a favourable barrier draw.
Cog Hill (Judy Collett) continued his preparation for the Thorndon Mile at Trentham on Saturday with 1000m in 1:4.8, the last 800 in 50 and 600 in 37.
Top Marque (Spratt) galloped especially for a maiden to finish 1200m in 1:14, the final 1000 in 1:1,7 and 600 in 38.8. His latest form is sound and he gets another chance on Sunday.
Bold Fionn (Kinsey), another who has been racing well without much luck, ran a very easy 1000m with Chocksaway (Ormsby) though they quickened a little for the last 600 in 40.7.
Coya Pasca (Colson) and Philippedes (Spratt) covered 1000m in 1:3.1, the closing 600 in 39.5.
