Tuesday - May 2nd
By RON GURNEY
Word Savvy looked ready to make amends at short notice for a last-start failure when she galloped in fine fashion at Awapuni this morning. Fast work took place on the plough (good) and on the middle of the heavy No 1 grass.
Word Savvy, in at Whanganui on Saturday (mdn 3yo mile) used the plough and skipped over a solid 1000m in 1.4.5, the last 600 in 37.5. She finished last when favourite at Woodville two weeks ago and her rider Lisa Allpress told stewards the Savabeel mare was unsuited by the holding (heavy) track conditions. Veracious, in at Otaki on Thursday (r65 1400m), and Fruition were paired over 1000m in 1.6.2, the last 600 in 37.9, and an unraced Nom du Jeu gelding from the Matthews Eales stable went alone in 1.6.3 and 37.8. That's Funny and former northerner Swiss D'Meanour, off to Whanganui, ran 800m in 49.9, the last 600 in 37.1, while Leeds and Heni came up with 50.7 and 37.7. Ringo, heading to the Premier meeting at Riccarton on Saturday, and Boxachocolates were at a good clip early over 1000m in 1.2.7, easing a shade to complete the last 600 in 38.1. Ringo tackles the $50,000 Great Easter Stakes (1400m). Classic Touch and Whanganui runner Garment (mdn 1350m) were paired over 1000m in 1.4.1, the last 600 in 38.1, while Allure (mdn 2yo) and How Perfect (r65 1200m), two more heading in that direction, took 1.7.2 and 38.4. Salvinia (mdn 2050m) went alone in 1.8.5 and 38.6, and Adonis (mdn 1350m) had Carnaby (r65 hwt mile) for a partner over the same task in 1.6.2 and 39.3.
Unraced four-year-old mare So It Was (by Sir Percy), trained by Roydon Bergerson, covered 800m with Artemis Rising in 53.5, the last 600 in 39.5, and Mango (by Falkirk), who debuts at Otaki on Thursday (mdn 3yo 1200m), went on her own in 56 even and 39.7. She is a three-year-old filly trained by Laura Knight and won a trial at Awapuni in February. Otaki entrant Shrimp Cocktail (r65 1400m) had Rebecca Goldsbury in the saddle over 600m in 39.1, while a Darci Brahma filly and a Cape Blanco filly, both trained by Jeff Lynds, did 800m in 57.1, the last 600 in 40.7. Blondlign (mdn 3yo 1200m) and Callidora (mdn 1400m), other Otaki candidates, sprinted 600m in 41.8.
On the No 1 grass, Miss Norway (r65 2100m), who is knocking on the door for another success, was timed 1000m in 1.6.3, the last 600 in 38.9, while Just You and Don'stopgirl, both in the r65 1400m, ran 800m in 52.3, the last 600 in 38.7. Roc 'N' It (Whanganui) and a Pins gelding came up with 52.5 and 39.4. Leicacutcat, who has not raced since last winter, and That's Amore (Whanganui) matched strides over 800m in 53.1, the last 600 in 40 even, while their stablemates The Great Guru (r75 mile) and Lincoln Bay took 53.2 and 40.1. Denny's Lincoln and Whanganui debutant Keep It Savvy (mdn 1350m) came up with 53.7 and 40.3. Kate The Great (mdn 1200m), who has not raced for over a year, and Mighty Solomon ran 800m in 53.8, the last 600 in 40.4, while Showing Grace, off to Whanganui as well (mdn 3yo 1200m), and an unraced Iffraaj stablemate filly recorded 54.6 and 40.6. Two-year-old Father Lenihan (by O'Reilly) and three-year-old Lincoln Fame (by Fast 'N' Famous), unraced colts trained by Lisa Latta, ran 800m in 54.9, the last 600 in 40.7. Ready Eddie, in the restricted open hurdle at Te Rapa on Saturday, and Whanganui entrant The Orange Pony (r65 hwt mile) were paired over two rounds of the hurdle fences in the centre of the track.