Heavens Keep has freshened nicely for summer racing judging by his final trial at Awapuni this morning
08 December 2016
Thursday - December 8th
By RON GURNEY
Heavens Keep has freshened nicely for summer racing judging by his final trial at Awapuni this morning. All fast work during a quiet gallop session was held on the plough (good), where Heavens Keep had trainer Lucy Tanner aboard over a tidy 1000m in 1.4 even, coming the final 800m in 49.8, the last 600 in 37.2. He has not raced since finishing out of a place in the Coupland's Mile at Riccarton four weeks ago, but looks ready to run a huge race in Saturday's r85 mile at Awapuni.
Time honours went to Platinum Express (r65 1200m), who sped over 800m in 48.1, the last 600 in 36.3. The mare is working well, but the points are not going on the board. However, in saying that, she deserves another chance. Kolonel Kev (r85 mile) had Mighty Solomon alongside over 800m in 49.8, the last 600 in 36.8, while recent Whanganui debut winner Handsome Return and Elucidate warmed up from the 800m (52.8) to run the last 600 in 37.7. An El Hermano mare trained by Trina Riddell took 52.5 and 39.1. The Beama had trainer Laura Knight aboard over 1000m in 1.7.2, the last 600 in 39.7, while Carnaby, in Saturday's r65 2100m, and Alcaldesa were kept to 800m in 55.4, the last 600 in 40.4. Soiree and an Indy King filly stable-mate posted 56.2 and 40.3. A Gail Temperton-trained Gold Centre-Klassic maiden sprinted 600m in 40.3, while an Any Suggestion two-year-old and a St Reims three-year-old, two more from that stable, took 40.8. A Tavistock filly and a So You Think filly, both trained by Lisa Latta, went 41.1. A Raise The Flag gelding trained by Mark Oulaghan, ran 1000m in 1.11.6, the last 600 in 41.2, and Sophia Magia and a Nadeem filly, both with Roydon Bergerson, sprinted 600m in 42.4. Manawatu entrant Catalina De Lago (r75 1400m) was kept to 800m in 59.1, the last 600 in 43.1.