In Rules

Tuesday - April 25th

By RON GURNEY

Mighty Solomon earned plenty of admirers for weekend racing when he galloped in great style at Awapuni Tuesday morning. Fast work took place against the rail either on the course proper (slow), against the fence on the No 1 grass (slow) or on the plough (good).

Mighty Solomon, entered for the open 1200m at Te Rapa and the open 1400m at Hastings, used the course proper and had smart stablemate North And South for a partner over 800m in 49.2, the last 600 in 35.7. North And South has not raced since winning the (Listed) Levin Stakes (1200m) at Otaki last November, but looks very forward. The only other pair to use the course proper on race morning were three-year-old filly Showing Grace and an unraced two-year-old filly by Ekraar, both trained by Matthew Eales, and they covered 800m in 52.9, the last 600 in 37.7.

On the No 1 grass, Hastings entrants Star Emerald and Lookherepal, both in the r65 mile, lost no kudos with a bold 1000m in 1.2.5, the last 600 in 36.9, while Bushfire (r65 1200m) and How Perfect (r65 mile) were sent 800m in 51.1, the last 600 in 36.6. Thorn Pass and Itsagem, both in the r75 1400m, left 1000m behind in 1.5.6, the last 600 in 37.3.

On the plough, Just You and Travis Stakes (Te Rapa) runner China Star cut out a very nice 1000m in 1.3.8, the last 600 in 36.9, while Classic Touch and unraced Jimmy Choux filly Choux Envy matched strides over 800m in 52.1, the last 600 in 37.4. Hastings entrant Fibonacci (r65 1200m), trained by Stephen Mercer, and Moorish (Mark Oulaghan) recorded 52.2 and 37.9. Moorish can be forgiven her last-start Woodville failure. Ma Belle Kate worked alone over 1000m in 1.7.5, the last 600 in 38.4, and Tiffany's (r75 210m) clocked 1.8.6 and 39.3. Blushing Moss, back in work with Tracy Collis, came up with 1.9.6 and 39.5. She has not raced since the spring. A Nom du Jeu gelding trained by Matthew Eales ran 800m in 52.8, the last 600 in 39 even, and In Dreamland was kept to 1000m in 1.13.4 and 40.2.