Matai Mies, an Elsu filly out of Holmes Hanover mare Matai Marlene, already went under the qualifying time by 5.3 seconds at Cambridge Raceway on January 2. She then had two starts for a fourth and 10th in January and February, but today it looked like her time away from the racetrack had strengthened her up tenfold.

Ross Paynter trained her for her first two starts, however owner/breeder P G Laboyrie has since transferred her to Small's Franklin barn. Today she paced the 2050m mobile in 2:37.4 (mile rate: 2:03.5) with final 800m and 400m sectionals of 59.2 and 29 seconds.

All six pacers easily beat the qualifying mark of 2:42.2.

Gangala (Gareth Dixon) was 3-1/4 lengths back in second place in a time of 2:38 while Ebony Girl (Roydon Downey) was a further ¾ length back in third in 2:38.2. Also qualified: Badlands Bromac (Maurice McKendry) 2:38.3; Won't Be Denied (Steven Reid) and Happy Chappy (Simon McMullan).

And another easy winner at the Trials today was 2006 Auckland Cup winner Mi Muchacho's little half-sister, La Muchacha. The 4-year-old Day In The Life mare is out of seven-win ($59,362) Tricky Dick mare, Mi Muchacha.

She has left four foals - rising 9-year-old Wilcos Kosby gelding Mi Muchacho, who won 16 races and $416,388; 6-year-old Wilcos Kosby gelding Muchas Gracious, who died; La Muchacha; and 3-year-old Courage Under Fire filly, Bueno Muchacha.

Richard Anderson and Pia Larsen own the three living foals left by Mi Muchacha, but Dave and Clare McGowan have this year taken over the training duties of La Muchacha from Jill Coppins.

In fact it was Coppins who qualified La Muchacha (4.7 seconds under) at Cambridge Raceway last August. She was then put aside and has come back bigger and stronger than ever if today's easy 1-1/4 length victory was any guide.

Driver Nicole Molander dictated all the pace from barrier one and at the finish line the opposition simply couldn't keep up.

She paced the 2500m mobile in 3:15.2 (mile rate: 2:05.6) with final 800m and 400m in 60 and 28.9 seconds respectively. Jasper's Mate (Ival Brownlee) and Perfumed Garden (Adrienne Matthews) were second and third.

Workouts results:

Duane RANGER (editor)