Bulls trainer Bryce Newman has a lot to look forward to with a small team this spring, comprising maidens and tried horses.

A handful of them galloped on the synthetic track at Awapuni on Thursday morning and recorded some smart times.

Street Appeal and Blue Jeanie took the time honours, but only just from Rue Cler, Altezza, Sugah Sweet and Jazlene.

Unraced three-year-old filly Street Appeal (by Ardrossan) and unraced four-year-old mare Blue Jeanie (by Satono Aladdin) were paired over 800m in 49.5, the last 600 in 35.7. They were both placed at the Awapuni trials last week.

Rue Cler, not seen since last November, went on her own over 800m in 49.6, the last 600 in 35.7, and she was third of three in a blanket finish at the same trials meeting.

Unraced three-year-old filly Jazlene (by Proisir) ran 800m in 50.2, the last 600 in 35.9, and top mare Sugah Sweet clocked 50.6 and 36.4.

Maiden four-year-old Altezza, last seen in the autumn, covered 800m in 50.8, the last 600 in 36.5, and her stablemate, unraced four-year-old mare La Nostra Sirena (by Redwood), took 52.1 and 37.1.

Top mare Town Cryer gathered speed from the 1000m to complete the final 800m in a well-held 55.8, the last 600 in 40.3.

She is still among the entries for the Group 1 Arrowfield Plate (1600m) at Hastings on Saturday fortnight, but the Group 3 Taranaki Breeders' Stakes at Hawera (1400m) a week later remains an option.

Her unraced four-year-old stablemates Testing (by Time Test) and a Darci Brahma two-year-old filly ran 800m in 57.2, the last 600 in 41.6.

Taranaki acceptor Queen Of Spades (r75 1600m), a big chance on the fresh side, was not chasing the clock over 1000m in 1.10, the last 600 in 40.9.

Bradman, still in the nominations for the Arrowfield Plate, was kept to 1000m in 1.13.9, the last 600 in 42.8.

On the plough, an unraced Sweynesse gelding trained by Mark Oulaghan drew attention with 1000m in 1.2.1, the last 600 in 35.7, and Redana, not seen since April, ran 800m in 52.6 and 37.6.

Top jumpers West Coast and Berry The Cash are at the top of their game for Sunday's Great Northerns after two solid rounds, being timed 1000m on the second circuit in 1.4.1, the last 600 in 38.7.

Their stablemates Super Spirit (Gt Northern Steeple) and Kentucky Boy (0-1 win steeple) did similar work and finished with 1000m in 1.5.1, the last 600 in 39.6.

Rangitikei acceptors French Doll (mdn 1200m) and Shirley Temple (r65 1400m) were paired over 800m in 55.5, the last 600 in 39.4.

French Doll resumes after a short break and goes into Sunday's race with a Foxton trial win under the belt.

Shirley Temple will attempt back-to-back wins on the synthetic track after clearing maidens (1400m) three weeks ago.

Showbastian Coe (r65 1200m), not seen since early last month, gathered speed from the 1000m to run his last 600 in 40.4. Five previous starts on the synthetic footing have yielded two wins, a second and a third.

His unraced stablemates Kosta (by War Decree) and Saxon Lady (by Saxon Warrior) did similar work, finishing with 600m in 41.7.