Chikira Lass and Lincoln's Kruz on the plough and Bold Belle on the synthetic track were the star gallopers at Awapuni this morning.

Chikira Lass, in the r75 1400m at Otaki on Saturday, ran 1000m on her own in a bold 1.3.5, the last 600 in 35.4.

It has been 15 months since this mare last won a race, but the time recorded today would be one of her very best. Northern apprentice Jess Allen takes the ride with a 3kg claim.

Her stablemate Lincoln's Kruz (open 1200m) hinted he is far from a spent force when running 1000m in 1.3.9, with the final 800m taking 49.3, the last 600 in 35.7. Ace Lawson-Carroll, another northern apprentice, is booked to ride.

Former Te Awamutu galloper Obadiah (r65 1400m), a new addition to the Fannin-Schofer barn, and stablemate Fourty Eight were paired over 1000m in 1.7.5, the last 600 in 37.7.

Obadiah's sole win from seven starts so far was over 1200 metres on a heavy track at Avondale last year. He was formerly with Debbie Sweeney.

Platinum Designs (r65 1200m), who has won two of his last three races, had Jonathan Riddell aboard over 1000m in 1.11.6, gathering speed as he went to finish with 800m in 52.6, the last 600 in 38.1.

Hawke's Bay Cup runner Cheval de Foudre, to be ridden by Masa Hashizume, ran an even 1000m in 1.6.8, clocking 52.9 for the final 800m, the last 600 in 39.2. He was impressive at Trentham last week and looks capable of taking the next step up.

Perfect Test, who has not raced since December, left 1000m behind in 1.8.5, the last 600 in 39.7, and she finished third in a Foxton trial two weeks ago.

Her stablemate Make Time, not seen since August, ran 1000m in 1.16.1, the last 600 in 41.9, as he builds for another winter campaign. Nun So Bad and an Alamosa filly stablemate sprinted 600m in 41.5.

On the synthetic track, Bold Belle looked ready to resume in the open 1200m at Otaki on Saturday judging by a very smart 1000m in 1.3.6, the last 600 in an impressive 34.7.

She has finished second in two Foxton trials since coming back into work and can go a big race fresh, just like she did last spring.

Last-start Tauranga winner Papa Surf had a War Decree gelding alongside over 800m in 53.1, the last 600 in 38.3.

Their stablemates Rushin Home and Pleasing, unraced two-year-old fillies by Russian Revolution, did similar work, ending with 600m in 38.4.

Hawke's Bay Cup lightweight Zackery, who has won his last two, was timed 1000m in 1.8.8, coming the final 800m in 51.9, the last 600 in 39.2.

Sarah O'Malley is back aboard on Saturday and finished second on the horse in January. She won a Foxton trial on him two weeks ago.

Unraced two-year-old gelding Sand Point (by El Roca) and unraced three-old filly Saxon Lady (by Saxon Warrior) covered 800m in 52.7, the last 600 in 39 seconds even. They are trained by Mike Breslin.

Colorado Star, in the open mile at Hastings, and Hot Dip (mdn mile) went together over 800m in 54.5, the last 600 in 40.1, while unraced two-year-old filly Street Appeal (by Ardrossan) and a Proisir filly, both with Bryce Newman, took 55.7 and 40.6.

La Bella Grande (r65 1400m) ended 800m with 600 in 42 even, while race rival Moon Money and Ardee Boy (r65 1200m) did little more than three-quarter pace over 1000m, ending with 600m in 44.1.