Raffle and Sea Monarch were the last pair to chase the clock, but recorded the best time at Awapuni this morning.
The majority of fast work was on the outside of the course proper (big bend), which provided excellent footing.
Raffle and Sea Monarch sped over 1000m in 1.1.9, coming the final 800m in a smart 46.4, the last 600 in 34.5.
Raffle won a lower grade double before her seventh of 13 in open company at Trentham last start, all over 1200 metres.
This Saturday, on her home track, she steps up to 1400 metres, a distance she has won over previously. Meanwhile, Sea Monarch (r65 1400m) has been freshened since racing at Trentham in mid-January.
Kelly Coe, in the Awapuni Gold Cup (r65 2100m), and Red Emperor were paired over a solid 1200m in 1.17.9 and clocked 1.4.3 for 1000m, with the final 800m taking 48.2, the last 600 in 35.5.
Colorado Star (Gold Cup) and Flying Surf (r65 2100m) gathered speed from the 1200m and were timed 1000m in 1.3.4, the last 600 in 35.5 as well.
Nod Of The Head (open 1400m) had three-year-old filly Knickerless (r65 1400m) for a partner over 1000m in 1.5.4, the last 600 in 35.4, and Far Site (r75 mile) went on her own in 1.6.8 and 35.6.
Boasting (3yo 1200m) and dual nominee Tivaci Princess matched strides over 1000m in 1.7 even, the last 600 in 36.3, followed soon after by Meglio Di Falcrest (r75 1200m), Sharada (r65 1400m) and Fibonacci (r75 1200m), who all went together in 1.7.2 and 36.1.
Unraced four-year-old Man Express, who boasts excellent form at the trials and jump-outs, and an Alamosa-Par Avion four-year-old, geldings trained by Roydon Bergerson, ran 800m in 48.8, the last 600 in 36.2. The Alamosa gelding won a trial at Otaki last week.
Bradman and Reign It In, both in the r75 1200m, were locked together over 1000m in 1.7.8, the last 600 in 37.8, and Platinum Assault (r65 1400m) came up with 1.8.4 and 37.6.
Recent Group winners He's A Doozy and Platinum Invador, both in the Gold Cup, covered 1000m in 1.9 even, the last 600 in 37.3, while Lurid (r65 2100m) and Lincoln Rocks (r65 1400m) took 1.8.9 and 37.2.
Chikira Lass (r75 1200m) went 1000m on her own in 1.11.1 and 37.6, and stablemate Bourbon Falls (Manawatu Classic) ended with 800m in 52.5, the last 600 in 37.4.
Last-start Trentham winner Town Cryer (r75 mile) and two-year-old filly Great Escape (Sires' Produce) warmed up from the 1000m (1.10.3) to finish with 600 in 38.2.
Great Escape was not disgraced on debut at Trentham two weeks ago and is an outside prospect on Saturday, if she runs.
Extraordinaire (r65 2100m), trained by Peter Didham, and 3yo 1200m entrant Sotirio (Matthew Eales) left 1000m behind in 1.15.3, the last 600 in 38.9, and Freedom Reins (r65 1400m) clocked 1.16.5 and 39.2. Express Yourself (r75 1200m) took 1.16.8 and 39.4.
On the synthetic track, Papa Surf and Albufeira, making good progress in new campaigns, ended with 600m in 39.5.