Tuesday - April 18th
By RON GURNEY
Beefeater could not have pleased trainer Roydon Bergerson more with his very satisfying semi-final trial at Awapuni this morning. The majority of fast work was held on the plough (good), with just a handful using the No 1 grass (slow) a couple of metres out from the rail.
Beefeater, wearing blinkers again, used the plough and had stablemate Hank Moody for a partner over a solid 1000m the reverse way (right-handed) in 1.2.6, the last 600 in 36.2. Beefeater has a last-start third under his belt behind All Roads and Scapolo in the Japan-NZ Trophy at Tauranga. Miss Oahu (by Pins), who has not raced since last winter, and Wellington entrant Captain Lincoln (r85 mile) were paired over 800m in a smart 48.5, the last 600 in 36.1, while Garment, in at Woodville (mdn 1400m) and former northerner Swiss D'Meanour (by Swiss Ace), both trained b y Lydia Pickford, came up with 49.2 and 36.2. Woodville entrant Thats Amore, narrowly beaten last start, and Petite Midas were on terms throughout 800m in 49.8, the last 600 in 36.5, and Suffign sprinted 600m alone in 36.5. Lucy Tanner-trained Teraseeda (by Makfi), formerly with Karen Zimmerman, posted 37.8. Canny Magic, who is knocking on the door in maiden company, skipped over 1000m in 1.3.7, the last 600 in 37.7, while Waiz One and Lincoln's Gal (by I Am Invincible), third on debut last Christmas, ran 800m in 49.9, the last 600 in 37.4. That's Funny and unraced three-year-old filly Choux Envy (by Jimmy Choux), in at Woodville, recorded 50.4 and 37.6.
Heavens Keep had trainer Lucy Tanner aboard over 800m in 50.5, the last 600 in 37.5, and Cullister did a quiet round before galloping 800m in 52 even, the last 600 in 37.6. Maiden debut winner Exceptional and stablemate Yemanya, both heading to Wellington, covered 800m in 53.2 and 38.9, whle Shadows Cast left 1000m behind in 1.6.8, the last 600 in 38.7. Nom Du Beel and Our Debutante were given a quiet round of pacework before galloping 800m in 53.2, the last 600 in 39 even, while Ready Eddie and Derby Dan did similar work and returned 53.3 and 39.6. Cartagena followed suit, but was at speed from the 1000m (1.7.7), the last 600 in 39.4. Tip The Dancer, a winner fresh up at Whanganui, and Strada Roccia, whose two raceday starts have yielded two fourths, warmed up from the 800m to complete the last 600 in 39.9, and Colombian Rose galloped alone over 1000m in 1.6.2, the last 600 in 40.3. The Oysterman and Volacapri posted 1.7.3 and 40.1. Sophia Magia, who will race in blinkers at Woodville, and Wellington runner Rosetta (3yo mile) were not after time over 1000m in 1.12.5, the last 600 in 41 even, and their stablemate Artemis Rising sprinted 600m in 42 even. Shrimp Cocktail went 600m in 44.5, but only sprinted the last 400.
On the No 1 grass, Carnaby and Blondlign were together throughout 1000m in 1.7.4, the last 600 in 39.1, and Salvinia went alone in 1.8.8 and 39.5. Adonis and Callidora covered 800m in 54.8, the last 600 in 41.2, and How Perfect and a Perfectly Ready filly sprinted 600m in 41.5.