Tuesday - September 19th
By RON GURNEY
Jessiegee and Boxachocolates looked on song for spring racing when they galloped together at Awapuni this morning. Fast work took place on the outside of the heavy course proper, on the plough (good), with one gallop recorded on the sand (good).
Jessiegee and Boxachocolates used the course proper and were able to reel off a pleasing 800m in 51.3, the last 600 in 36.2. Jessiegee resumed on the first day at Hastings (1300m) with an unlucky fifth placing and looks a huge improver. Their stablemates Prosecco and Ravenhill were paired over 800m in 53 even, the last 600 in 38.2, and Hawke's Bay entrant Heavens Keep (r85 1400m), with raceday rider Tim Johnson aboard, covered 1000m in 1.4.3, the last 600 in 39.7. Nom Du Beel (r65 2200m) and Cullister, in at Wanganui on Thursday (mdn hurdle), came up with 1.5.1 and 39.3. Showing Grace, racing without blinkers at Wanganui (r65 mile), ran 800m in 54.8, the last 600 in 39.5, while Platinum Valos, who has been gelded, and Leicacutcat, both in the maiden 1200m there, posted 54.7 and 40 even. Rock Rulz (by Road To Rock), who has not raced since the autumn, clocked 56 even and 40.9. Wanganui runner Lucky Snip (mdn f&m mile) and Roc 'N' It matched strides over 1000m in 1.4.9, the last 600 in 40.7, while an Ekraar filly and a No Excuse Needed gelding, both trained by Matthew Eales, went 1.7.1 and 41.7. Lovetokeephim, in at Hawke's Bay (r65 2200m), was given a quiet 800m, the last 600 in 42.2.
On the plough, Shadows Cast caught the eye with his first-class trial over 1000m in 1.1.0 even, the last 600 in 36.2. He ran a solid third at the Foxton trials (1000m) two weeks ago, while Hank Moody and Hawke's Bay entrant Beefeater (r85 1400m), who finished second in the same heat as Shadows Cast, were paired over the 1000m in 1.2.5 and 36.9. A Darci Brahma filly and a Rip Van Winkle filly, both trained by Mike Breslin, sprinted 600m in 37.8, and Mustafa, unplaced in two raceday appearances so far, covered 1000m in 1.6 even, the last 600 in 38.7. Hawke's Bay entrants Kamanda Lincoln (r65 1400m) and Jimmy Lincoln (3yo 1100m) were sent 800m in 51.6, the last 600 in 38.2. Jimmy Lincoln was also nominated for Taupo (r65 1300m) on Friday. Counter Attack, who makes his hurdle debut on Thursday, earned admirers with his 1000m in 1.3.5, the last 600 in 39.3. He has been working well, and his stablemate Al Munroe came up with 1.6.5 and 40.1. Belle Canto, second and third in as many raceday starts so far, and recent Foxton trial winner French Serge were kept to 800m in 56.7, the last 600 in 40.7 while their stablemates Pania and an O'Reilly maiden were given an easy 600m in 44.7.
On the sand, four-year-old maiden mare Suffign, who has not raced since the autumn, did a quiet round before galloping home 600m on the second circuit in 42.3, and Our Gazza, in the restricted open hurdle on Thursday, did a couple of rounds over the brush fences in the centre.