KEY POINTS:
Jayasuriya and Capacia galloped into favour for Te Rapa on Saturday with stylish workouts at Matamata yesterday.
On the inside of the course proper where the going was dead, Jayasuriya (Waddell) hit out boldly over 1000m in 1:03.2, with the final 600m in 35.5. The John Sargent-trained mare drops back to 1600m on the weekend and will be hard to beat with a handy weight and inside draw.
Capacia (Turner) did her final work for the Travis Stakes on the sand, cutting out 1200m in 1.20.2, 1000m in 1:06.4 and 600m in 38.8. Capacia is the only 3-year-old in the fillies and mares feature but on her recent work and vastly improved raceday form she cannot be left out of calculations.
Race rival Kirra Sand (Dowling) also finished her work well after 1200m in 1:20.2, 1000m in 1:07.5 and 600m in 40.2. She will be an interesting runner in her first start over a middle-distance.
Desert Flight (Turner) put his usual zest into his final trial for Te Rapa, striding over 1200m in 1:20.2, 1000m in 1:06 and 600m in 39.1. Valley Chief (M Brosnan), the topweight in the open handicap at Te Rapa, looked bright when covering the same ground in 1:24.4, 1:09.2 and 40.4.
Sent To Sea (K McQuade) completed her preparation for the open sprint at Te Rapa with 1000m in 1:06.5 and 600m in 38.2. Trentham runner Shotgun Start (Waddell) rattled off his last 800m in 49.9 and 600m in 37.2.
On the all-weather track, Te Rapa juvenile candidate Teddy Boy (K McQuade) and Dees Lad (H McQuade) cut out 1200m in 1:19.8, 1000m in 105.6 and 600m in 39.3. Kerfuffle (Sidaway) was never at top over 120m in 1:21.5 and 600m in 41.2, while Shear D'Cash (Vincent) recorded 1:26.5 and 40.2.
Back on the course proper, Pindy (Wenn) began steadily to run 1000m in 1:06.6, quickening in good style for a final 600m in 36.4. Waitiu Music (Boyack) ran his last 600m in 42.2.
Southern visitor Dan Moran (Hillis) got his eye in for Te Rapa next week with a tidy school over two rounds of the hurdles.
Murphy returned encouraging work when galloping on a dead No.1 grass at Cambridge yesterday.
The unraced 2-year-old, in the hands of Rhys Jones, sprinted 600m in 36.1. Murphy is strongly-favoured for his Te Rapa engagement on Saturday on the strength of impressive trials wins earlier in the season.
Vickezzchardonnay (Collins) was untroubled to complete 1200m in 1:8.2, finishing off in 40.7. She should maintain her good form this weekend.
Bright Spark (Leahy) ran 1000m in 1:6, sprinting the final 600m in 36.9. True Emotions (Moeslin) and Black Bijou (Weler) matched strides over a solid 1000m in 1:2.7, the final section in 36.8.
Working on the plough, Hurricane Rosie (O'Neill) galloped nicely throughout 800m in 55. Antipodean (Donoghue) left 1200m behind in 1:18, finishing off in 38.9. Star Babe (Calder) was timed from the 600m in 36.8
Golan Star (Calder) and Lizabeel (Norvall) strode 1200m in 1:20.1, the 600m in 40.7. Shirl's Girl (Matthew), Tuxedo Rose (McFarlane) and Kaison (Norvall) were together throughout 800m in 52.2. Islington Bay (Calder) and Fire Bolt (McFarlane) were sent 800m in 53.7.
Squire (Cooper) ran 1000m in 1:4, the final 600m in 38. Cypress Point (Jago) returned 1:49.6 for 1600m, he last 600m in 37.9. Georgiagogo (Gillies) strode 1200m in 1:23.6, coming home in 41.8.
Great Hero (Calder) worked in from the 600m in 38.3. Glamorous Girl (Norvall) followed in 38.4. Astaire ( Satherley) travelled nicely throughout 1400m in 1:33, the 1000 in 1:3 and the last 600m in 39.6. Katie's Dan (Norvall) and Pherano (Calder) returned 51.6 for 800m. Don Dixit (medium weight) sprinted 600m in 37.6.
Working on the sand, Sandecker (Whitworth) and Delli Coast (Herbert) came to he end of 600m in 39.4. Hagar (Whitworth) came in from the 600m in 38.4.
Vivaldi's Gone and Gold Merit returned excellent final trials for Te Rapa tomorrow when they galloped at Pukekohe yesterday.
Working 2m out on a dead No 1 grass, Vivaldi's Gone (Evans) cut out 1000 in 1:00.5, the last 600 in 35.8.
He looks well placed in the Goldpine 1600 to extend what is becoming a very useful record.
Rough Odds (Hodgetts) was the only other Te Rapa runner to use the grass, running 800m in 52, the final 600 in 38.
Working on the all-weather sand and ridden by trainer Paul Hillis, Gold Merit completed 1000m in 1:3.6, the last 600 in 37.4.
This was a smart effort under the weight and Gold Merit's chances in the William Inglis 1200 should not be overlooked.
Pretorius (Judy Collett) finished his second round of pacework with 800m in 52, the final 600 in 38.4.
Stablemate El Torro (N. Collett), given the same assignment, went a little easier in the early stages and recorded 55.7 and 41.5.
Other Richard Collett-trained Te Rapa runners, Crossyourheart (N. Collett), Superalloy (Judy Collett) and Pinstar (Singer) all paceworked twice round.
Book Keeper (Razali) sharpened up for his race at Avondale today with a smart 400m in 24.5, the closing 200 in 12.4.
Trainer Gareth McRae said that Accardo, a prospect in the open 1400m at Te Rapa, worked on the stable's treadmill.
