Durham Lad, Barzetti and Sotirio, all trained by Matthew Eales, sprinted up individually at Awapuni on Thursday morning, but neither of them chased the clock.

Fast work during a very light gallop session was on the synthetic track as the trio went through their final paces for the Hawke's Bay meeting at Hastings on Saturday.  

Stable veteran Durham Lad (open 1200m), who has recorded some of his best performances at Hastings, covered 800m in 56.4, the last 600 in 40.8.

He resumed over 1200 metres at Wanganui a month ago and was not disgraced after settling back early. A big, improved run would not surprise on Saturday.

Barzetti (r75 1400m) came to the finish of his 800m this morning in 55.5, the last 600 in 41.4. He resumed at Otaki three weeks ago, but finished a long last of nine over 1200 metres on a soft-6 track, and the run is best forgotten.

The gelding steps up to 1400m on Saturday with the aid of a heavy track and is expected to be far more competitive.

Sotirio (r65 1400m) was timed 800m in 57.7, the last 600 in 41.1, and could be ready to pay a dividend in his new campaign. He has put two Trentham races and a Levin jump-out under the belt over the last month.

Kavish Chowdoory will ride Durham Lad, with Lily Sutherland (a1) engaged for Barzetti, while Leah Hemi takes the mount on Sotirio.