Bazooka, preparing for Friday’s Woodville meeting, reeled off a quick last 600m in trackwork at Hastings this morning.
Fast work was confined to the plough, which provided good footing.
Bazooka worked in from the 1200m peg on his own, clocking 1:21.9 for the full distance. He ran the first 600m in a leisurely 44.4s before sprinting home the last 600 in 37.5.
The big Burgundy four-year-old recorded a good third on debut over 1200m at Awapuni two weeks ago and will be stepped up to 1400m at Woodville.
Estefania also finished her work off strongly when working over 1000m on her own in 1:02.5, the last 600 in a quick 36.2. Owner-trainer Richard McKenzie is unsure where the mare will start next, saying she needs a wet track and rain on the day to enhance her chances. She may race at either Woodville or Trentham this weekend if conditions suit.
Lady Vadamos, another heading to Woodville on Friday, also worked well when running a solo 1000m in 1:03.6, the last 600 in 36.2. She was found to be mildly lame after her last start failure at Hastings a month ago but is fully fit again now and will contest the maiden fillies & mares race over 1400m at Woodville. Kate Hercock has been booked to ride her.
Super Tap, one of three horses South Island trainers Ian and Kerry Taplin have had based in Hastings for the past three weeks, worked with Matt Cain. They went quietly over two rounds before sprinting home the last 400m in 25.8.
Super Tap was balloted out of the Rating 65 race over 2200m at last Saturday’s Hawke’s Bay meeting and will contest a Rating 65 event over 2100m at Trentham on Sunday. Chris Johnson will ride her.
Johnson will also team up again with stablemate Tappy’s One in the Open 1600m race at Trentham. He was well beaten in last Saturday’s Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m) but should appreciate the drop back in distance and the likelihood of a rain affected track. This morning he was restricted to just trotting and cantering in the centre of the track.
Unfortunately the other Taplin-trained runner in the Livamol Classic, Ritani, suffered a suspensory ligament injury during the race and is now likely to be retired to the broodmare paddock.
One Dream One Soul ran a solo 1000m in 1:07.5, the last 600 in 39.4. Trainer Lee Somervell said he would nominate the Ekraar filly for the maiden 1200m race at Woodville but had doubts about whether she would make the final field.