Racing: Zarius peaking before Auckland Cup carnival

Zarius showed his fitness for Auckland Cup Week when he worked in dashing style at Matamata yesterday.

Galloping on a fast plough, Zarius (Sapsworth) was accompanied by Shikoba (Upston) over 2000m and with the pace right on they recorded 1:14.4 from the 1200m and 35.7 for the final 600. It was an exceptional gallop that left no doubts about the Zabeel gelding's readiness for the Nathans Memorial on Saturday followed by the SkyCity Auckland Cup next Wednesday.

Auckland Cup second favourite Genebel (Andrew) was allowed an easier task but still worked well over 1200m in 1:24.8 and 600m in 39. Favourite Pentaine (C. Ormsby) looked bright after his weekend win when allowed to amble over 1200m in 1:31.2 and 600m 44.3.

Mercedes Derby candidate Charliehorse (Waddell) got through sound work over 1200m in 1:18.8, the last 600m in 37.7. Trainer Lance O'Sullivan has been unable to find any explanation for the gelding's waywardness at Ellerslie last week, but will fit him with a ring bit in the hope of preventing a repetition.

Twopaddocks (Rastrick), who is now assured of a start in Saturday's classic, was restricted to steady work over ground, with his last 1200m taking 1:24 and 600m 40.8. Arlingtonboulevard (T. Harris) was impressive when she accompanied Vaalu (C. Hain) over a slick 1000m in 59.8, the last 600m in 35.2.

Temple Hills (Rastrick) looked ready for his return to racing with 1200m in 1:15.8 and 600m in 37. Everswindell (M. Carston) and Sharvasti (Waddell) turned in a good trial for the Lowland Stakes at Trentham on Saturday when they cut out 1200m in 1:19.8, quickening readily for a final 600m in 35.8.

Momento (Rastrick) did good work over 1200m in 1:17, the last 600m in 37.6, while The One (Coleman) and Tabeela (Davidson) ran their last 1000m in 1:03.4 and 600m in 37.

Crepe de Chine (T. Thornton) hinted at a bold effort in the Kings Plate when reeling off 1000m in 59.2 and 600m in 35.2. Likely race rival Tsarina Belle (C. Ormsby) ran the same distance in 1:04.5 and 37.5.

Pelagic (K. Jones) and Jack Hobbs (C. Thornton) were paired in a sound work over 1200m in 1:19.2, the last 600m in 38.6. Arniston (Waddell) and Ciara (M. Carston) covered the same ground in 1:20.7 and 37.2, while Havascotch (K. McQuade) clocked 1:17.5 and 37.4, Adelariva (Coleman) 1:22.4 and 38.5, and That's Top (T. Harris) and Ribarnica (Hattori) 1:20.8 and 38.6.

* A rousing gallop by Mercedes Derby runners Black Panther and Abbey Drive provided the highlight of training at Pukekohe yesterday.

They were ridden by race jockeys Grant Cooksley and Michael Walker respectively.

Working on the sand, Black Panther took an early lead over Abbey Drive setting off from the 1600m and was shading the other horse in the finish, the last 1200 in 1:17, 1000 in 1:2.5 and 600 in 36.6.

Gallion's Reach, the other horse trainer Richard Yuill will saddle in the classic, ran 1600m with Angel's Whisper, the last 1200 in 1:18, 1000 in 1:4.1 and 600 in 38.

Honeymoonsova was travelling nicely on the outside of Ima Tycoon in the finish of 1200m, the last 1000 in 1:3 and 600 in 38.6.

Jaca Rema finished his 1000m in 1:3.1, the last 600 in 36.6.

Little Jess went 1000m in 1:9.6, quickening for the last 600 in 40.

Auckland Cup lightweight British Made strode 1200m in 1:20.2, the last 600 in 39.9. St Verdi and Elementary sprinted 800m in 51.2, the closing 600 in 36.7.

* Molta was in fine form when galloping on a good plough at Cambridge yesterday morning.

Molta (Walsh), preparing for Trentham this week-end, strode freely over 1400m in 1:31, sprinting the final 600m in 37.6.

Lucky Governor (Callaway) woked nicely from the 1000m in 1:7, the concluding 600m in 37. Clarissa (Calder) finished her work off with a final 600m in 36.2.

Sceal Eile (Branksikova) and Waikeria (Brownie) matched strides over an impressive 800m in 48.5. Laughing Stock (Gillies) and Cantalano (Crawford) matched strides over 1200m in 1:21.6, quickening over the final 600m in 36.8.

Fashionable Lass (Holmes) showed she has derived benefit from her debut outing when working with Zarello (Ivil) over 1000m in 1:1.8, the last 600m in a fast 35.8.

Ebony Star (Zuppicich) was sent an easy 600m in 46.6. Astaire (Hofmann), who is coming to hand well in a new campaign, was untroubled to run 600m in 42.5. Gaze (Calder) left 1200m behind in 1:29.5, the final section in 44.6.

Ladykin (Whale) worked in from the 1200m in 1:20, the final 600m in 39.4. Asmahan (Hills) covered 1400m in 1:37, finishing off in 39. Salsberg (Houston) completed the final 600m of work in 39.1. Sir Edward (Holmes), a recent trials winner, was timed from the 600m in 36.4.