Morus, Eshay and Fabian Hawk, all trained by Peter Didham, were in great form at Awapuni this morning.

Roydon Bergerson-trained Asahi, Perfect Turn and Town Cryer also drew plenty of attention.

The course proper was in use for the first time after recent renovations and the track came through with positive results. Times were good across the board.

Morus, fourth fresh up on Wellington Cup day, could not have been more impressive working on his own over 1000m in 1.8.1, gathering speed to come the final 800m in 47.2, the last 600 in 35.1. He has trained on solidly.

His stablemates Eshay and Fabian Hawk went together over the same assignment in 1.8.4, covering the final 800m in 47.6, the last 600 in 35.3. It was smart work by these two maidens.

Perfect Turn (by Turn Me Loose), unplaced on debut last month, and Town Cryer were paired over an even 1000m in 1.4.9, with the final 800m taking 50.9, the last 600 in 36.2.

Three-year-old maiden Magic Bordeaux, trained by Shaun Fannin, caught the eye with his 1200m in 1.19.5, keeping up a strong gallop to clock 48.4 for the final 800m, the last 600 in 36.1.

Silver Eagle and Giannis matched strides over 1000m in 1.8.3 and completed the final 800m in 49.2, the last 600 in 36 seconds even.

Lightly raced four-year-old Asahi worked on his own over 1000m in 1.6 even and finished with 800m in 51.3, the last 600 in 36.5.

Diss Is Dramatic, whose effort on a heavy track in the Desert Gold Stakes last start held some merit, recorded 1.7.5 for 1000m, with the sectionals taking 51.5 and 36.9.

Three-year-old filly Kana, who has not raced since last winter, was timed 800m in 52.4, the last 600 in 36.4, and a Redwood gelding trained by Mike Breslin took 53.7 and 37.2.

An Iffraaj-Gifted Lass two-year-old filly trained by Peter Didham gathered speed from the 800m, which she covered in 57.2, to run home the last 600 in 37.6.

Call A Friend (by Akeed Mofeed), another unraced two-year-old filly, and an Alamosa filly, both trained by Mike Breslin, did similar work with 58.8 and 37.3. A Vespa filly and a Tarzino gelding, two more from that barn, sprinted 600m in 37.7.

McKhan and unraced stablemate Good Work Men (by Tarzino) ran 1200m in 1.12.5 and came the final 800m in 52.2, the last 600 in 38.6. McKhan goes to Te Rapa on Saturday (r65 1300m) and will again be ridden by Kate Hercock.

Unraced two-year-olds Lima (by Sidestep) and Centre Page (by Wrote), fillies trained by Peter Didham, ran 800m in 57.5, the last 600 in 38.2.

Stormcast had unraced two-year-old filly Great Escape (by Iffraaj) for a partner over 800m in 58.1, the last 600 in 38.6, and Express Yourself, who was not disgraced in two races at the Wellington carnival, took 58.6 and 38.3.

Far Site sprinted 600m in 38.5, while Glide Queen and a Wrote filly posted 38.9. Right Now and a Vanbrugh gelding, both trained by Shaun Fannin, did 1200m in 1.21.5, the last 600 in 39.7.

A So You Think gelding and a Reliable Man filly, both trained by Lisa Latta, ran 1000m in 1.14.3, increasing the tempo as they went to finish with 600 in 39.3.