Thursday - March 13th
By RON GURNEY
Last-start winner Ticket Clipper suggested more is in store at Hastings on Saturday when he galloped in fine fashion at Awapuni this morning. The majority of fast work took place on the plough (dead), with a handful using the No 1 grass (slow).
Ticket Clipper used the plough and worked alone, warming up from the 1200m to run 1000m in 1.3.4, the last 600 in 36.2. He tackles the r75 2500m on Saturday, a race in which he finished third 12 months ago. He won't be far away in this edition either, with Lisa Allpress again the rider from last start. Time honours went to Suffign, who gathered speed from the 1000m mark to complete the final 800m in 49 even, the last 600 in 35.7, while Platinum Express (r75 1300m) and Platinum Valence went 49.6 and 36.6. Lubaya (by Rip Van Winkle), who debuts in the 2yo 1300m, and Rosetta came up with 49.9 and 37.2. A Chinese Dragon gelding and a Road To Rock filly, both trained by Mike Breslin, were paired over 800m in 50.6, the last 600 in 37.4, while a Jimmy Choux gelding and a Fully Fledged gelding, two more from that barn, sprinted 600m in 37.9. Lincoln's Ace and a Per Incanto maiden posted 52 even and 37.7. Shadows Cast had Masa Tanaka aboard over 1000m in 1.5.9, the last 600 in 38.3, and Derby Dan did a quiet round of pacework before galloping 1000m in 1.5.7 and 38.5. Lisa Latta-trained Blackbird (by Cecconi), who has not raced since January, was timed 800m in 50.7, the last 600 in 38 even.
Hawke's Bay Cup prospect Five To Midnight had stablemate Shocktillyoudrop (r75 2500m) alongside over 1000m in 1.6.8, the last 600 in 38.4, while Savaria (Hawke's Bay Cup) and Rhiannon, who both starred on Tuesday, recorded 1.7.6 and 38.3. The Orange Pony went alone in 1.7.9 and 38.2. In-form Just Ishi (r75 2500m) and Nom Du Beel were on terms throughout 1000m, coming the final 800m in 53.5, the last 600 in 38.5, and Shrimp Cocktail left 1000m behind in 1.8.8, the last 600 in 38.8. An Excelebration filly and a Savabeel filly, both trained by Mike Breslin, sprinted 600m in 38.6. Beefeater, wearing blinkers, and French Serge warmed up from the 1200m mark and matched strides over 1000m in 1.5 even, the last 600 in 39 even, and their stablemate Artemis Rising covered 800m in 54.9, the last 600 in 39.8. Debut winner Exceptional, in at Hastings (r65 1200m), and French Serge were kept to 55.4 and 40 even. Hank Moody was timed 1000m in 1.9.7, the last 600 in 40.7, and Ringo ran a quiet 800m in 55.6 and 41.5. A Darci Brahma filly and a Rip Van Winkle filly, both from the Breslin stable, sprinted 600m in 43.5.
On the No 1 grass, Hawke's Bay Cup chance Tiffany's had stablemate Callidora for a partner over 800m in 51 even, the last 600 in 38.3, while Bushfire, who resumes from the outside gate, in the r65 1200m, and a Perfectly Ready filly sprinted 600m in 38.4. Adonis and How Perfect ran 1000m in 1.5.9, the last 600 in 39.4.