Fablue and stablemate Sparta, race rivals at Hastings on Sunday, galloped boldly at Awapuni this morning.

Fast work during a quiet session was held on the synthetic track or the plough (good).

Fablue and Sparta, both trained by Rangitikei's Bryce Newman, used the synthetic track and were paired over 1000m (1.8.6), gathering speed as they went to complete the final 800m in 50.2, the last 600 in 37.4.

The five-year-old mares are lightly raced so far, though Fablue has won two from nine. After a couple of trials, including a third at Waverley last month, she was unplaced when resuming at Wanganui two weeks ago.

Sparta has won one from seven, and finished third in a blanket finish at Wanganui the same day as Fablue. They are both down to contest the r65 1600m on Sunday.

Unraced three-year-old filly Waiting (by Puissance De Lune) and a Staphanos gelding, two more from the Newman barn, were timed 800m in 52.1, the last 600 in 38.1.

Call A Friend and Albufeira, both trained by Mike Breslin, covered 800m in 53.3, the last 600 in 39.7, and both horses ran eye-catching thirds at Otaki last week.

On the plough, Midaswellbjack did a quiet round before galloping 800m in 51.2, the last 600 in 37.8. He was disappointing at Otaki last week, but gets a chance to make amends at Hastings (mdn 2100m).

Miyazawa (mdn mile) worked alone over a quiet round and a half, quickening to run home the last 600 in 42.8.