Cambridge Trackwork 

Excite stepped out on a rain-affected No.4 grass at Cambridge this morning as he puts the finishing touches on his preparation for Saturday’s Group One Al Basti Equiworld Dubai 54th New Zealand 2000 Guineas. The James and Wellwood-trained colt by Wootton Bassett arrive’s in Christchurch a last-start winner and looked in super order, completing his final 600m in 40.3. Stablemate Celebrate Now, a last-start winning Savabeel mare, worked home in 39.8, while Young Jackson recorded 41.4.

Stephen Marsh produced a sizeable team on the No.4 grass, with El Roca mare Dramatic Miss working home in 40.2. Consistent galloper Erin Go Bragh, heading to Tauranga on Saturday for the Devan Plastics Open 1400m, returned 39.9. Lightly raced Savabeel mare Glance recorded 40.5, while Hakushu topped the clock in a slick 39.8. Hidden Achievement, looking to go one better next start, ran home in 40.1.

Mazino, set to contest the Rating 65 1400m at Rotorua, returned 39.7, while race rival's Oberon worked home in 40.6 and Lady Impending recorded 39.9. Miss Fladgate clocked 39.8, while Rotorua Maiden 1400m entrants Bourbon Time and Fatal Affair returned 40.1 and 40.2 respectively. Tauranga runner Shambo Jack worked home in 39.9, while Fastdeeldun, a contender for Rotorua on Sunday, recorded 40.7. Ocean Opal returned 39.8, while Unmistakable, heading to Tauranga on Saturday, worked home in 40.1.

Unraced Bivouac three-year-old filly Happy And I Moet returned 39.8, while another unraced three-year-old filly by Hello Youmzai, Leucosia, completed her work in 40.1. Noversatin, third in his only raceday appearance to date, recorded 39.9 as he prepares for Rotorua on Sunday in the Maiden 1560m, while race rival The Glamourous One returned 40.0.

Tony Pike also had a strong team of gallopers out this morning, with Astoria Brooke looking full of running on the No.4 grass, completing her work in 39.0 as she prepares for Saturday’s Group Two Gartshore Tauranga Stakes.

Successor, a dual entrant this weekend at Tauranga and Rotorua, joined Rotorua runner Mayday, with the pair returning 38.1. Argo looked super, recording 38.9 as he readies for Saturday’s Tauranga Hardware & Plumbing Rating 75 1200m. Via Fontenella, a Rotorua Maiden 1230m entrant, returned 41.1, while Truly Divine, another Rotorua Maiden 1400m runner, and Frozen Fortune matched strides, working home in 37.9. Frozen Fortune looks to head around on Saturday at Tauranga.

The remainder of the Pike team made use of the synthetic track, with Justice For All returning 40.1. Cosmic Pursuit, a Rotorua runner, and Del Inquent ran home together in 38.2, while Storm Front joined Dragon’s Gift, with the pair returning 38.3. Paper Dragon and Trepidation galloped quietly together in 44.4, while Zoo Station worked with Vivelavie, the pair returning 41.9. Last-start winning Wootton Bassett four-year-old Countach topped the clock in 39.7 as he prepares for the Rating 65 1400m at Rotorua on Sunday.

Fresh from her Group One success, Hollie Elliot produced unraced three-year-olds Truly Bound and Jinn The Magic, with the pair delivering a slick 37.6.

Josh King and Maija Vance galloped Hong Kong returnee Rich Horse, who returned a very quick 36.9.

Andrew Forsman had a busy morning of gallops, with well-performed gallopers Hinekaha and Elle Sourit impressing in their work. Matching strides, the pair returned 39.1 on the No.4 grass, with Hinekaha set to race in the J Swap Open 1200m on Friday at Waverly, Also out on the grass were The Weekend and stablemate Walkin In Memphis, with the pair running home in 40.1 with Walkin In Memphis due to line up in Race 1 at Waverley on Friday. Rotorua runner Furston joined Pit Boss, with the pair working home together in 39.7, while Autumn Queen, a Rotorua entrant, and Sixteen Days worked together, returning 39.1.

An unnamed Acrobat/Silk Trail worked alongside unraced Almanzor three-year-old Venetia, with the pair returning 40.1.

Heading to the polytrack from the Forsman stable, last-start winner Black Diamond returned 39.8. Nedelin, who has won two from four starts, looked good coming home in 39.2, while progressive stayer Mustang Morgan topped the clock in 39.9. Shestheone, an unraced three-year-old filly by The Chosen One, looked fantastic returning 38.9. Trial-winning Vanbrugh three-year-old Boss Voss worked home in 39.1, while another trial performer Pocket Money looked good in 39.6. Consistent El Roca gelding Orson Stone recorded 39.9, while Trig Hill completed her work in 39.7.

Back galloping on the No.4 grass, Ritchie/Murray Group One 2000 Guineas runner Kumara Straight joined well-performed stablemate Tajana, with the pair impressing in a stylish 38.9. Another pair from the stable, Indigo and North Haven, matched strides coming home in 38.6.