Thursday - August 31st
By RON GURNEY
Heavens Keep begins a new campaign at Hastings this week and his final gallop at Awapuni this morning suggested some stake money was not out of the question. The majority of fast work took place on the plough (good), with just one gallop recorded on the heavy No 1 grass after overnight rain.
Heavens Keep, in the r85 1200m on Saturday, used the plough and had trainer Lucy Tanner aboard over a strong 1000m in 1.3.1, coming his final 800m in 49.7, the last 600 in 37.6. Awapuni apprentice Tim Johnson will ride Heavens Keep with a 2kg claim. Time honours over the last 600 metres went to Black Sav and Five To Midnight, who cut out 1000m in 1.5.1, the last 600 in 36.3, while Red Red Robin (by Fully Flegded), who last raced in the autumn, clocked 1.9.4 and 37.9. She is with David Hayes. Hastings entrant Itsagem (r75 mile) and Rip Into Ghia were paired over 800m in 50.9, the last 600 in 37.6, while Just Georgie (by Gold Centre), who has not raced since the summer, and Edwardian Lady (by Sufficient), unplaced on debut in May, sprinted 600m in 37.5. They are with Gail Temperton. Ollie's Note had trainer Laura Knight in the saddle over 1000m in 1.5.2, the last 600 in 38.9, while a Darci Brahma filly and a Pour Moi filly, both trained by Lisa Latta, ran 800m in 53 even, the last 600 in 38.8. That's Amore posted 52.2 and 38.3. Sweepstake and Son Of Surf were on terms throughout 800m in 53.5, the last 600 in 38.7, and Bushfire had an Ocean Park filly stablemate alongside over a 600m dash in 38.5. Lincoln Hills, off to Hastings on Saturday (3yo 1200m), ended with 600m in 39.1.
Authentic Paddy (Tarzino Trophy) was timed an easy 1000m in 1.14.6, coming in from the 800m in 55.4, the last 600 in 39.2. He finished fifth in the Hastings race last year and looks in fine fettle after his Foxbridge Plate resuming run (5th) a few weeks ago. Dal KIlchoan covered 1000m in 1.7.1, the last 600 in 39.3, while Hastings runner Carnaby (r65 2000m) and Adonis went together in 1.9.8 and 40.1. Unraced Faltaat mare Hidden Valley and Mr Baggins (by Mettre En Jeu), unplaced on debut in March, came up with 1.10.1 and 40.1. They are with Elizabeth Rennie. Laura Knight's unraced Faltaat gelding left 800m behind in 55.9, the last 600 in 40.5, while Hastings entrant Beefeater (r85 1200m) and unraced Alamosa three-year-old Windsor ended with 600m in 41.2. Boxachocolates and a Reliable Man colt clocked 41.4, and Ravenhill (by Bernadini), who showed good maiden form in the autumn, posted 42.7. Nom Du Beel (r65 2000m) did a quiet round and a half before galloping 800m in 57.1, the last 600 in 42.5, while Grand National winner Upper Cut did similar work, finishing with 1000m in 1.12.5, the last 600 in 43.5. Amorata was given a quiet 1000m, the last 600 in 45.3.
On the No 1 grass, Tarzino Trophy hopeful Ringo and Stephenstihls (r75 mile) matched strides over 800m in 57.9, the last 600in 42.3.