Thursday - February 2nd
By RON GURNEY
Mighty Solomon, who could be seen on the second day at Waikato, worked in fine fashion at Awapuni this morning. All fast work took place on the plough (good), where Mighty Solomon was too strong for Jackofall, in at Wairarapa on Monday (r65 1400m), after 800m in 50.9, the last 600 in 38.2. Mighty Solomon resumed with a third in the Manawatu Challenge Stakes(1400m) and was then one of the eye-catching finishers in the Telegraph Handicap (6th) over 1200 metres at Trentham.
Garment and former northern maiden Electric (by Shocking) warmed up from the 800m (54.7) to run home the last 600 in 37.9, and they are both trained by Lydia Pickford. I Spied and Classic Touch, two more from her stable, came in from the 1000m to complete the final 800m in 51.3, the last 600 in 38.1. Glengoyne and a Denman gelding were paired over 800m in 51.4, the last 600 in 38.2, while unraced Alamosa three-year-old Jessiegee and a Bernadini filly posted 51.7 and 38.1. A Per Incanto mare and another Alamosa filly came up with 52.8, the last 600 in 38.4. They are all with Mike Breslin. Lookherepal, a winner at Tauherenikau two starts ago, worked alone over 800m in 52.7, the last 600 in 39.1, and he returns to Tauherenikau on Monday for the r65 2050m. Top sprinter Speech Craft, who was not disgraced finishing mid-field in the Telegraph Handicap last start, was kept to 800m in 55.6, the last 600 in 39.7. His next start is likely to be at Taranaki in two weeks.
Unraced Alamosa gelding King Cougar, who won a Foxton trial in September, and a Road To Rock filly were timed 800m in 53.5, the last 600 in 40.1, and they are with Mike Breslin, while Wairarapa Breeders' Stakes entrant Bella Court and Platinum Raider (mdn 2050m) required 55.1 and 40.2. Waikato Guineas prospect Fine Taylor and Wairarapa entrant Rosetta (r65 1400m), a last-start winner at Woodville, were not asked for their best over 1000m in 1.8 even, the last 600 in 40.3, while Just Georgie (by Gold Centre), unplaced in two races so far, was not after time either over 800m in 58 even, the last 600 in 40.4. The Czar covered an easy 1000m in 1.12.2, the last 600 in 41.2, and Hank Moody, in on Monday (r75 mile), ended a quiet 800m with 600 in 42.8. Boxachocolates did three-quarter pace over 1000 metres.