Racing: Noess 

Noess rounded off his preparation for the longest flat race in the country at New Plymouth on Saturday with a strong solo gallop at this morning’s Hastings track session.

Most fast work was carried out on the plough (easy) but Noess galloped wide out on the No.1 grass, which provided firm footing. He worked in from the 1200-metre peg and was timed to run the last 1000 metres in 1:7 and final 600 in 38.4.

The Generous gelding has won his last three starts and will have the benefit of a 3kg apprentice allowance in Saturday’s 3210-metre event, with Lisa Whelan aboard.

Defiant, preparing for the Rotorua Hunt meeting on Sunday, finished his work off nicely when running 600 metres in 41.2. He didn’t really stride out fully until the last 350 metres. He is one of two horses trainer John Bary will line up in the Rating 80 & Jumpers Highweight at Rotorua, the other being D’Goldie. Matthew Cropp has been engaged for Defiant while Gary Walsh will ride D’Goldie.

El Santo worked over 1200 metres in 1:21 and was timed to run home the last 600 in 38.5. He was an impressive winner over 1600 metres on the first day of the Hawke’s Bay spring carnival but finished well back when stepped up to 2000 metres there last Saturday.

Danelizzie rounded off her preparation for tomorrow’s Levin meeting at Otaki with a sprint up the straight. She has a wide draw to overcome in a 1200-metre maiden.

Mr Archibald was not pushed when running 1000 metres in 1:10.1, the last 600 in 42 while his stablemate Boulder Bay ran over the same ground  in 1:9.8, the last 600 in 42.3.

Mr Archibald looks well but trainer John Stenning is waiting for the tracks to improve before kicking him off in a new campaign.

Hempstead ran a solo 800 metres in 52.7, the last 600 in 39 while Clippet and a Snippetson two-year-old gelding ran 600 metres in 39.4 but were only let stride out over the last 350 metres.

Rampant and a Shinko King three-year-old gelding were among several horses restricted to just three-quarter pace on the plough.

Trainer John Bary elected to work Jimmy Choux on his own track but said the star galloper will have a gallop on the Hastings track on Saturday and Jonathan Riddell will come through and gallop him again next Tuesday.