Belardo Boy, Manifique and Ruffhouse Rosie were the star performers during a busy gallop session at Awapuni this morning.
The majority of fast work was held on the synthetic track, with just a handful using the plough as a number of horses prepared for New Plymouth on Friday and Wanganui on Saturday.
Belardo Boy, working alone on the synthetic, stole the show with his impressive 1000m in 1.1.3, the last 600 in 35.8. His disappointing race at Trentham is best forgotten.
Manifique and Ruffhouse Rosie lost no kudos with 1000m in 1.2.3, the last 600 in 35.2. Manifique has gone ahead in leaps and bounds since her fresh-up third at Trentham three weeks ago. Both horses head to New Plymouth.
Sindacato and Perfect Turn did fine work as well, cutting out 1000m in 1.1.0 even, the last 600 in 36.1, and these were similar times recorded by Chikira Lass, who went on her own.
Love For All, trained by Hunterville's Bryce Newman, covered 1000m in 1.4.8, the last 600 in 36.3, and she is ready to start a new campaign.
Durham Lad worked alone, recording 1.4.5 for 1000m, the last 600 in 36.9, while Miyazawa and Centre Paige went together in 1.7.5 and 36.4
Unraced three-year-olds Uncle Arch (by Tivaci) and Chief Sitting Bull (by Staphanos) were paired over 800m in 49.5, the last 600 in 36.8. They are with Bryce Newman.
Their stablemate Sugah Sweet, about to start a new campaign, ran 800m in 48.6, the last 600 in 37.2, and Main Street clocked 49 seconds even and 37.1.
Knickerless had senior rider Chris Dell aboard over 800m in 49.7, the last 600 in 37.7, while Our Braveheart, unplaced on debut at Trentham last Friday, and Rheneas went together in 50.8 and 37.8.
Waitui Rose and Sharada did a quiet round before galloping 1000m in 1.6.1, the last 600 in 38.3, followed soon after by Mazzini and Bellucci in 1.8 even and 38.4.
Princessa Gold left 800m behind in 52 even, the last 600 in 38.9, and Lovehelen posted 52.1 and 38.1. Impressive last-start Trentham winner Barzetti did 1000m in 1.9.1, the last 600 in 38.5. He is thriving.
He No Opilio was timed 1000m in 1.8.4, the last 600 in 39.7, while Donnybrook, another last-start winner, and Raffle covered 800m in 53.8 and 39.5.
Sevenayes and unraced four-year-old mare Hips Don't Lie (by Mongolian Khan) ran 800m in 54.7, the last 600 in 39.6, while unraced three-year-old filly Waiting (by Puissance De Lune) and a Staphanos maiden took 54.4 and 39.5.
Parisian Poppy and Call A Friend were on terms throughout 800m in 51.8, the last 600 in 39.4, and their stablemates Albufeira and Sanperion were kept to 1000m in 1.11 and 40.1.
Freedom Reins was never in top gear over 800m in 52.8, the last 600 in 40.1, and neither was Showbastian Coe with 57.2 and 42.8. Bradman went a quiet 1000m, the last 600 in 44.2.
On the plough, nothing worked better than Lady Performer and Dealornodeal, who went 800m together in a smart 47.3, the last 600 in 35.1. They are trained by Lydia Pickford.
Their stablemates Textbook and Trustworthy were sent 800m in 49.6, the last 600 in 36.4.
Semper Magico covered 1000m in 1.2.4, the last 600 in 37.8, while The True Believer and Good Work Men did a quiet round and a half and were then timed 800m in 49.7, the last 600 in 37.4.