Belardo Boy put his hand up to be counted for Trentham on Saturday when he galloped in fine style at Awapuni this morning.
All fast work was on the plough (good), where Belardo Boy rounded off his preparation with 1000m in 1.4.9, coming the final 800m in 50.9, the last 600 in 37.7.
Danielle Johnson is reunited with the gelding after finishing fourth on him at Trentham on Labour weekend three starts ago.
Time honours went to Captain Cook Stakes (1600m) prospect House Of Cartier, who was given a quiet round and a half before sprinting home the last 600 in 36.7. She has not raced since winning the Feilding Gold Cup (2100m) five weeks ago.
Platinum Road (r65 2200m), who looks a big improver, and unraced three-year-old filly Beautiful Noise (by Tavistock) were paired over 1000m in 1.5 even, coming the final 800m in 50.7, the last 600 in 37.8.
Town Cryer and last-start winner Sindacato, both in the r74 mile, did similar work together over 1000m in 1.5.1, covering the final 800m in 51.2, the last 600 in 37.9.
Race rival Passione, to be ridden by Leith Innes, really caught the eye over 800m in 49.6, the last 600 in 37.4, but has a wide draw to contend with on Saturday.
Wild Moose and Rock Island Line were timed 800m in 50.1, the last 600 in 37.5, while unraced three-year-old filly Platinum City (by Belardo) and unraced four-year-old mare Lady Bee (by Burgundy) clocked 52 even and 37.9. They are with Lisa Latta.
Wellington runner Platinum Spirit (r65 2200m) did nice work on his own over 1000m in 1.5.4, coming the final 800m in 51.5, the last 600 in 38.2.
He ran two hard-fought lower-grade seconds over 2500 metres at the New Zealand Cup meeting last month, and is in top order as he builds for some bigger goals.
Maiden four-year-old Rischio ran 1000m in 1.6.2, the last 600 in 38.8 and, after winning a Foxton trial (1400m) in October, has gone on to record two race-day thirds.
Raffle, in on Saturday (r65 1400m), cruised over 800m in 54 even, the last 600 in 38.4, and the barrier gods have dealt him another cruel blow.
Unraced two-year-old gelding Valinor (by Telperion), trained by Roydon Bergerson, ran 800m in 56.5, the last 600 in 40.7, while Flying Surf and a Tarzino gelding stablemate sprinted 600m in 40.4.
Wellington acceptor Balalaika (r65 1400m), another with a wide draw to contend with, was kept to 800m in 56.2, the last 600 in 41.7, as was Lincoln's Kruz (r74 1200m), who went 56.6 and 41.1. He has drawn the outside in a capacity field.
Tweedledee (Chalmers Hp) was never out of second gear over 800m in 59 even, the last 600 in 43.3.