Windermere Lad and Son Of Surf drew plenty of attention for Saturday after a first-class final trial at Awapuni this morning
14 September 2017
Thursday - September 14
BY RON GURNEY
Windermere Lad and Son Of Surf drew plenty of attention for Saturday after a first-class final trial at Awapuni this morning. Fast work took place on the plough (good) and on the heavy No 1 grass, with one gallop recorded on the sand (good).
On the plough. Windermere Lad (r65 2100m) did a quiet round (1400m) before picking up stablemate Son Of Surf (mdn 3yo 1200m) on the second circuit to run home 800m in 50.7, the last 600 in 37.4. Windermere Lad finished third over hurdles last start, but is quite capable of transferring that form to the flat on Saturday with the help of a 2kg claim (Danielle Hirini). Son Of Surf, on the other hand, worked up well at the trials before his two raceday outings so far, which were full of merit. He will have a 2kg claim (Hirini) as well. Time honours went to their stablemates Wafer and Heni, who cut out a smart 800m in 48.8, the last 600 in 35.9, and Salamanca and Sweepstake, two more from the Breslin barn, ended with 600m in 37 even. Mustafa worked alone over 800m in 51.1, the last 600 in 37.3, while Nasheeta and Callidora went together in 51 even and 37.8. Kamanda Lincoln and Mighty Solomon were at a good clip early over 800m in 50.3, the last 600 in 38.1. Strada Roccia and Tip The Dancer covered 1000m in 1.9.3, the last 600 in 38.3. Rosetta and a Pins half-brother to Shillelagh sprinted 600m in 39.5, while Raul and a Savabeel filly went 800m in 53.1, the last 600 in 39.1. Des De Jeu (r65 2100m) went alone in 53.1 and 39.3. Petite Midas and a Darci Brahma filly were kept to 55.1 and 39.8. Two Savabeel colts trained by Lisa Latta were timed 800m in 54.6, the last 600 in 40.2, while an O'Reilly two-year-old and an Alamosa two-year-old, both trained by Roydon Bergerson, were given an easy 600m in 42.3.
On the No 1 grass, Platinum Command, in the open mile on Saturday, had a lightweight aboard over 800m in 53.2, the last 600 in 41 even, while Bannockburn (r75 1200m) and Itsagem (r75 1550m) went together in 55.1 and 41.9. Showing Grace, who will race without blinkers in the r65 1550m, did liittle more than three-quarter pace over 600m with a three-year-old Ekraar filly.
On the sand, Lovetokeephim (r65 2100m) worked over a round before speeding up on the second circuit to run 800m in 55.1, the last 600 in 40 even. He could have gone a lot quicker if allowed, and looks in fine fettle.