In Rules

Tuesday - August 1st

By RON GURNEY

Platinum Command looked in fine fettle for the Winter Cup at Riccarton on Saturday when she galloped in company at Awapuni this morning.

During a light session, fast work took place on the heavy No 1 grass, with the majority of horses using the plough (plough). Platinum Command used the No 1 grass and had Authentic Paddy for a partner over 800m in 53.5, the last 600 in 40.4. It was good, sound work, and Platinum Command, who was beaten narrowly in the Winter Cup last year, will appreciate the step up to 1600 metres this week. Golden Bay, heading south again (r65 1600m), and Thursday's Egmont runner Hare Bawl (open 2100m) were paired over 1000m in 1.11.1, the last 600 in 42.6.

On the plough, La Monnoye and Duplicity really caught the eye with their bold 1000m in 1.4.2, the last 600 in 35.7, and Heavens Keep had trainer Lucy Tanner aboard when working alone over the same distance in 1.5.4 and 37.4. Mighty Solomon and Five To Midnight were timed 800m in 51.2, the last 600 in 37.7. Jessiegee and an Iffraaj gelding covered 800m in 53 even, the last 600 in 38.9, and Egmont runner Battle Creek (r65 1400m), with trainer Gene Andrew in the saddle, was kept to 56.7 and 40.5. A Dalghar filly, trained by Lucy Tanner, and a No Excuse Needed mare trained by Liz Rennie, warmed up from the 1000m (1.17.8) to run their last 600 in 40.1, while a Sebring colt and a Niagara colt, two-year-olds trained by Mike Breslin, sprinted 600m in 40.3. Windermere Lad, off to Egmont (r65 2100m), galloped 1000m in 1.11.2, the last 600 in 42.9, and a No Excuse Needed three-year-old trained by Matthew Eales was kept to 800m in 59 even, the last 600 in 42.7.