Tuesday -August 29th
By RON GURNEY
Authentic Paddy and Mighty Solomon lapped up the improved track conditions to record a first-class semi-final trial together at Awapuni this morning. Fast work took place on the outside of the course proper (slow), on the No 1 grass (slow) and on the plough (good).
Authentic Paddy and Mighty Solomon used the course proper and were at an even clip early over 800m in 50.9, increasing the tempo for the final section to come home the last 600 in 35.9. Both horses ran solid races in the Foxbridge Plate (1200m) last start, especially Mighty Solomon, who was blocked for a run in the home straight. They look huge improvers for the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings on Saturday. Heavens Keep (r85 1200m) and Thursday's Woodville runner To Sir With Love (mdn 1400m) caught the eye when galloping together over 1000m in 1.2.7, the last 600 in 38.1, while Carnaby (Hawke's Bay) and Nasheeta lost no kudos with their 1.2.4 and 38.8. Lincoln Hills (Hawke's Bay) and Jimmy Lincoln were paired over 800m in 50.6, the last 600 in 38.1. De Gaulle (Hawke's Bay) and Princess Spice gathered speed from the 800m, which they covered in 56.6, to run home the last 600 in 38.9, and Ringo (Tarzino Trophy) had Stephenstihls (r75 mile) for a partner over 1000m in 1.4.2, the last 600 in 39.6. Last-start winner Lovetokeephim (r65 2000m) was timed 800m in 56 even, the last 600 in 39.4.
Just two gallops were recorded on the No 1 grass, where Thursday's Woodville acceptors Lucky Snip (mdn mile) and Kathy's Lincoln (mdn 1400m) were sent 800m in together in 52.7, the last 600 in 39.9. Yin Dragon (r75 1200m) went alone in 53.2 and 40.2.
On the plough, Mike Breslin-trained Raul, second at the Foxton trials last week, and a Jimmy Choux-Salada three-year-old gelding covered 800m in 49.4, the last 600 in 36.9, while The Rippa, a winner from the trials, and Almo Street clocked 50.4 and 36.3. The Rippa is in at Woodville (mdn 1200m) on Thursday without blinkers. A Savabeel filly and a Fully Fledged filly, both trained by Breslin, were on terms throughout 800m in 50.5, the last 600 in 37.1, while Back Street Boy and a Cape Blanco filly, both trained by David Goldsbury, ran 1000m in 1.7.2, the last 600 in 37.3. Bryce Newman-trained Belladita (by Savabeel) and Belle Canto, trained by Roydon Bergerson went 1.8 even and 38.2. Woodville runners Veracious (r65 f&m mile) and Fusion (mdn mile) matched strides over 1000m in 1.8.5, the last 600 in 38.7, and Exhibit did a quiet round and a half before galloping 1000m in 1.10.6 and 38.4. Cullister (r65 f&m mile), who will race without blinkers, warmed up from the 1000m to come home 800m in 51.7, the last 600 in 38.5. Luroel had Masa Tanaka aboard over 800m in 52.7, the last 600 in 38.1, while his stablemates Beefeater and unraced Alamosa three-year-old Windsor went together in 53.1 and 38.6. Beau Jeu, unplaced on debut in May, clocked 52.7 and 39 even, and Shadows Cast ended 1000m with 800m in 53.2 and 39.3. Hawke's Bay entrant Fruition (r65 1400m) and Helvetica were paired over 1000m in 1.7.5, the last 600 in 39.4, while a Thano gelding and a Nadeem gelding, both four-year-olds with Mark Oulaghan, took 1.7.7 and 39.2. Cartagena, off to Woodville (mdn 2100m), and Elucidate posted 1.9.1 and 40.3.
A No Excuse Needed gelding and an Ekraar filly, both trained by Matthew Eales, were timed 800m in 54.2, the last 600 in 40.6, and Amorata, making good progress in a new campaign, was kept to 55.3 and 40.5. Her stablemates Hard But Fair and unraced Ocean Park filly Pania required 56.6 and 40.4. Talented filly Dijon Bleu, third when resuming at Taupo a few weeks ago, sprinted 600m in 40.7, while a Sebring filly and a Mastercraftsman filly, both trained by Mark Oulaghan, ended with 800m in 56.4, the last 600 in 41.3. Woodville runner Miss Interpreted (r65 f&m mile) was not after time over 800m in 57.1, while Hank Moody, a winner at the Foxton trials last week, and French Serge were even quieter with 58.3 and 43.1.