Speech Craft continued his preparation for the premier meeting at New Plymouth on Saturday week with another strong gallop at Awapuni this morning
09 February 2017
Thursday - February 9th
By RON GURNEY
Speech Craft continued his preparation for the premier meeting at New Plymouth on Saturday week with another strong gallop at Awapuni this morning. All fast work was held on the plough (good), where Speech Craft had trainer Trina Riddell aboard, warming up from the 1000m mark to complete the final 800m in 50.4, the last 600 in 36.7. Unlucky not to have finished a lot closer than ninth in the Telegraph Handicap at Trentham last start, the gelding will contest the $40,000 Coca Cola Dash (1100m) next weekend.
Platinum Valence, in at Woodville on Saturday (r65 1200m), was paired with Roc 'N' It over the same assignment in 51 seconds even, the last 600 in 36.8, while The Rippa (mdn mile) and a Showcasing gelding came up with 51.3 and 37.5. The Rippa will appreciate the metric mile distance and the probability of better footing than he struck last start. Judi Anne, who will step up to the metric mile for the first time at Woodville (r65 mile), showed she was ready for the task when galloping 1000m in a nice 1.3.3, the last 600 in 37.8, and The Czar covered the distance in 1.5.2 and 37.7. Prosecco (r75 1400m) and Boxachocolates sprinted 600m in 38 seconds even. Stephenstihls will try a middle-distance for the first time on Saturday (r75 2100m) and had Tarihira (r65 mile) alongside when galloping 1000m in 1.4.1, the last 600 in 38.5. Yodelay (r75 2100m) and Angel In Bluejeans (r65 mile) came up with 1.5.8 and 38.1. Angel In Bluejeans will have side winkers added to the gear.
Johnny Lincoln and Denny's Lincoln were on terms throughout 800m in 53.4, the last 600 in 39.4, while a Magic Albert gelding and an Iffraaj filly, both trained by Mike Breslin, sprinted 600m in 39.5. Sophia Magia and a Rip Van Winkle filly posted 40.1. Dal Sir Tee had Masa Tanaka in the saddle over 1000m in 1.8.4, the last 600 in 40 even, and Wellington Cup heroine Savaria went with last-start winner Heisenberg the reverse way (right-handed) over a quiet 1000m in 1.13.7, the last 600 in 42.7. Woodville runner Fibonacci (r65 1200m) was kept to 600m in 42.9, while race rival Yemanya and unraced stablemate French Serge (by Cape Blanco) ran a quiet 800m in 59.4, the last 600 in 44.1.