Platinum Petals and Akela Belle were impressive taking the time honours, but plaudits too for Sassy Susan and Pleasure at Awapuni this morning.

All fast work was on the plough, with showery weather throughout the session.

Platinum Petals (by Deep Field) and Akela Belle were paired over 800m in 49.5, the last 600 in 36.5, both giving the impression a form reversal is on the cards Friday and Saturday.

Sassy Susan, who won fresh up at Otaki two weeks ago, and Pleasure covered 800m in 50 seconds even, the last 600 in 37 even. Pleasure looks a big improver from a resuming run at Otaki the same day.

Rangitikei entrants Putorino (by Savabeel), who has not raced since the autumn, and Nest Egg were locked together over 1000m in 1.5.5, the last 600 in 37.4.

Flying Surf and Parisian Poppy gathered speed from the 1000m (1.9.9) to complete the final 800m in 52 even, the last 600 in 37.6.

Lydia Pickford-trained Tumbleweed, in at Taranaki Friday, had Leah Hemi aboard over 1000m in 1.5.9, the last 600 in 38.3, while her stablemates Surprize Me (Rangitike) and Crackerjack went together in 1.6.5 and 38.8.

Platinum Machine and Khant Catch Her were on terms throughout 1000m in 1.6.6, the last 600 in 38.7, followed soon after by the Pickford-trained pair of See The Lion and Trustworthy in 1.6.7 and 38.5.

Oceanides worked alone over 1000m in 1.7.6, the last 600 in 38.3, and forget she went around last start when things didn't go her way, including a minor gear problem.

Well-bred debut winner Morus and St Nancy partnered up to run 1000m in 1.8.3, the last 600 in 38 even, and Deep Blue had trainer Gene Andrew in the saddle over the same distance in 1.9.7 and 38.8.

Lincoln Lane and Sacred Pearl left 800m behind in 51.7, the last 600 in 38.3, while Platinum Assault (by Sir Prancealot), unplaced on debut a few weeks ago, and an Ekraar filly took 51.9 and 38.4.

Recent debut winner British Royalty and stablemate Manifique, unplaced on debut the same day, matched strides over 800m in 52.5, the last 600 in 38.6, while Balalaika and a Roc de Cambes-Coasting three-year-old posted 53.3 and 38.4.

Tweedledee was at a good clip early over 1000m in 1.6.3, but eased over the last 600 in 39.7, and Canucia had Tiro for a partner over the same distance in 1.7.8 and 39.9.

Ted Can Too worked alone over 1000m in 1.8.9, the last 600 in 39.4, while Cavani (by Vespa),un placed on debut, and a Turn Me Loose-Letsgetiton three-year-old did 800m in 55.1 and 39.8.

Shadows Cast required 1.7 even for 1000m, the last 600 in 40.1, and last-start winner Town Cryer and Emvees Last Hurrah were kept to 1.9.2 and 40.4.

Nod Of The Head and Lincoln's Kruz worked an easy 800m in 54.5, the last 600 in 40 even, while Raffle and Hungry recorded 55.8 and 40 even. Cage Phyta, now with Peter Didham, clocked 56.2 and 40.6.

Dual trial winner My Bibby, a big disappointment at Otaki two weeks ago, did a quiet round and a half before sprinting home 600m in 40 seconds even.

Semper Magico was not chasing time over 1000m in 1.12.5, the last 600 in 41.2.