Racing: Catalina

A quick 600-metre sprint by Catalina and a solid workout by Hempstead were the highlights in a reasonably quiet session at the Hastings track this morning.

Fast work was confined to the plough, which provided good footing.

Catalina rounded off her preparation for Saturday’s Group 3 Eagle Technology Stakes at Ellerslie with a fast 600-metre sprint in 35.5. The Faltaat mare has certainly trained on the right way since her last start second over 1600 metres at Awapuni but faces a strong field in Saturday’s feature event at Ellerslie. Michael Coleman has been booked to ride her.

Hempstead, preparing for the maiden 2040-metre race at Wanganui on Saturday, worked in from the 1200-metre peg in 1:25.1, running the first 600 metres in an easy 46.7 before speeding up over the last 600 in 38.4. He is another who has trained on well since finishing second in his debut at Hastings last month. Jonathan Riddell will ride him.

Shelved, a likely runner at the Waipukurau meeting on Sunday week, ran a solo 800 metres in 52, the last 600 in 37. He was a good third over 1200 metres at Otaki last start and is likely to step up to 1400 metres at Waipukurau.

Jamaa ran a solo 1000 metres in 1:11.4, the last 600 in 40.3 while Wanganui entrant Flower Of Fashion was let off with just three-quarter pace over 800 metres.

A Keeninsky three-year-old gelding in John Bary’s stable clocked 40.6 for the last 600 metres of his work while Purple Haze was only let stride out over the final stages when running an easy 600 metres in 45.4.

Darceeduncan and Brutally Handsome, two others in the Bary stable, ran an easy 600 metres together in 43.6.