Thursday - September 28th
By RON GURNEY
Salamanca and Boxachocolates were impressive in training at Awapuni this morning. Fast work took place on the plough (good) and on the heavy No 1 grass.
Salamanca and Boxachocolates used the plough and stayed locked together over a bold 800m in 47.9, the last 600 in 36.3, and both Alamosa horses have freshened nicely since racing in mid-winter. Their re-appearance on raceday is awaited with plenty of interest. Prosecco and Sweepstake, two more from the Breslin barn, also galloped strongly over the same distance, running the 800m in 49.5, the last 600 in 36.8, while their stablemates Strada Roccia and a Darci Brahma filly came up with 50.1 and 36.9. Windermere Lad, who will be ridden by Matthew Cropp in a maiden hurdle at Te Aroha on Sunday, really caught the eye when working alone the reverse way (right-handed). He began with a quiet round (1400m) before speeding up on the second circuit to run 1000m in 1.3.1, the last 600 in 37.3. He deserves respect. Ozil and Stephenstihls were paired over 1000m in 1.3.9, the last 600 in 37.5, while a Nadeem gelding and a Thano gelding, both trained by Mark Oulaghan, recorded a very respectable 1.4.2 and 37.1. Shadows Cast left 800m behind in 50.9, the last 600 in 37.4, while Ravenhill and a Savabeel filly took 51.2 and 37.7.
Ringo and Brad Thorn matched strides over 1000m in 1.4.8, the last 600 in 38.6, while recent debut two-year-old winner Sir Nate and an O'Reilly colt were timed 800m in 52.7, the last 600 in 38.2. A Postponed mare trained by Stephen Nickalls posted 53.2 and 38.6. Mustafa cruised over 800m in 53.9, the last 600 in 38.3, while a Swiss Ace colt and a Sizzling colt, both trained by Mike Breslin, took 55.1 and 38.1. Wafer was at a good clip early over 800m in 51.5, but eased to record 39.2 for the last 600. A Faltaat gelding trained by Laura Knight, ran 800m in 53.5 and 39.4. Itsagem, in the r75 1400m at New Plymouth on Saturday, worked alone over a quiet 800m in 55 even, the last 600 in 39.4, and race rival King Cougar had Heni alongside over the same distance in 55.6 and 39.9. A Guillotine gelding trained by Stephen Nickalls sprinted 600m in 40.8.
On the No 1 grass, jumpers Our Gazza and The Great Guru, both heading to Te Aroha on Sunday for hurdle races, ran 1000m in 1.7.7, the last 600 in 39.6, and they are both strong winning chances. Yin Dragon, in the greys' race (1400m) at New Plymouth, went 800m in 55.7, the last 600 in 41.6. Rock Island Line, a Foxton trial winner earlier this month, and He's A Freak covered 800m in 56.7, the last 600 in 42.6, and New Plymouth entrant Keep It Savvy, a big chance fresh up (r65 1300m), went alone in 58.2 and 43.5.