CAMBRIDGE TRACKWORK REPORT
HKJC World Pool New Zealand Derby winner Road To Paris looked in fantastic order at Cambridge this morning as he builds towards his new-season preparation. Working on the front plough, the Derby hero completed his final 600m in a comfortable 41.8, suggesting he is coming along nicely.
Other members of the James and Wellwood team to gallop on the plough included Desert Gold Stakes winner and Otaki nominee Fairy Dream, who completed her work in 42.4, while Savabeel mare Waimea Bay, who lines up at Ellerslie on Saturday in the NZB Ready To Run Sale Trainers Series 1400m, ran home in 42.9. Gita was quietly through her work in 44.9, with Zivou finishing in 42.2.
Stephen Marsh had a busy morning with a strong team of gallopers stepping out across the Cambridge tracks. Catching the eye on the front plough was last season’s Group Two Hawke’s Bay Guineas winner Magic Carpet. The four-year-old son of Satono Aladdin looked in excellent order, reeling off a smart 39.9 for his final 600m as he prepares for Race 6 at Ellerslie, where he looks capable of making his presence felt.
Group Two Rich Hill Mile winner Queen Zou matched that time, also stopping the clock in 39.9, and looks a good prospect for Saturday’s Horizon By SkyCity 1400m at Ellerslie. Raymond, who finished third at Group Two level last start, was kept to quieter work, running home in 45.3, while Bourbon Time, last seen finishing third in a Listed 1400m event for two-year-olds, completed his work in 40.4. Last-start synthetic winner Moretothinkabout was eased through his final 600m in 44.0. Heading to Otaki on Saturday, Circus Trix returned 40.2.
Others from the Marsh stable on the plough included Kiwi Skyhawk, who contests Race 8 at Ellerslie, in 40.5; Roctave, a Race 10 runner, in 40.2; La Diem in 40.1; Dramatic Miss in 43.9; On The Town in 41.7; Andiamo in 43.1; Sexy And I Moet in 41.3; Mazino in 42.0; Flashback in 39.7; Alacritous in 40.2; Comaneci Gold in 42.3; Hello Angel in 43.0; and Fatal Affair in 42.0.
On the sand, Group Three Counties Bowl winner Ardalio impressed with a sharp 39.9 for the final 600m. Last-start winner and 2000 Guineas entrant Shambo Jack was kept under a hold, completing his work in 44.1, while the ever-consistent Ocean Opal was through her gallop in a nicely held 45.0.
Two-year-olds Eastern Jewel and Mister Houdini matched strides, finishing together in 43.3, while last-start winner Rose Aye Reign, an I Am Invincible filly, rounded out the sand gallops with a smart 40.5 as she prepares for Saturday’s Group Two Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes for three-year-old fillies over 1400m.
Mark Brooks produced last-start winner Echannay, a mare by Hello Youmzain, who impressed with a sharp 39.9 for her final 600m. Stablemate Flamenco also worked well, finishing in 40.4.
Nick Kneebone had Lit Show, a three-year-old son of Super Seth, gallop on the plough, completing his final 600m in 44.8.
Andrew Forsman also had a handful of gallopers out, with Morning Cocoa, Pit Boss and The Weekend returning 39.3. Furston and Queen Kamada matched strides to record 39.9, while Indian Ink stopped the clock in 40.7. Trial performer and Super Seth three-year-old Sixteen Days completed his work in 39.9, while Vanilla Storm was kept to an easy gallop, finishing in 42.4.
Heading to the back track, Hollie Elliot produced last-start Listed Flying Handicap winner Archaic Smile, who cruised through her final 600m in a quiet 42.9.
Tony Pike’s team also made their presence felt on the back track, with several runners preparing for upcoming assignments. This weekend’s Race Images Maiden 1200m starter at Ellerslie, Hervey Bay, worked home strongly in 38.9, matching six-time winner Cannon Hill, who also stopped the clock in 38.9. Maldini, who contests Race 10 at Ellerslie, was sharp through his work in 39.7, while Leichtenstein completed his final 600m in 40.1.
Recent trial winner Countach finished in 40.9, with Almanzor three-year-old Succeszor kept to quieter work in 42.3. Libre impressed with a smart 39.3, while Annonay joined stablemate Rubidium, a trial-winning El Roca three-year-old filly, with the pair recording 39.8.
Song Of Valor and Mayday matched strides to finish in 39.7, while Pellargo joined stablemate Rose Of Savannah, with the pair completing their final 600m together in 40.2.