Showshanelle and stablemate Atenartin took a giant step forward when they worked together in bold fashion at Awapuni this morning.

Fast work was held on the firm course proper, where Showshanelle and Atenartin were paired over 800m in 49.7, the last 600 in 36.7.

Both horses resumed in the same race at Waverley (1200m) two weeks ago, with Showshanelle producing an eye-catching run for a close third. They could clash again at New Plymouth on Friday.

Former Matamata mare Corinne (by Reliable Man), now with Roydon Bergerson, sprinted 600m in 36.5, while her stablemates Sweetjineen and Stormcast went together in 37.4.

Sea Monarch, not seen since January, and maiden three-year-old Blackcomb were on terms throughout 1000m in 1.9.5, coming the final 800m in 50.8, the last 600 in 37.5. Blackcomb is close to winning form.

Timberlake, who has recorded two fourths in as many starts since joining the Bergerson stable,  and Queen Of Spades covered 1200m in 1.18 even, the last 600 in 37.1. Another win looms large for both horses.

Hastings runners Sir Beets (open 1600m) and Splodge (r65 1600m) matched strides over 800m in 52.4, the last 600 in 37.9, and Durham Lad (open 1200m), who won the Autumn Sprint Championship Final at Trentham last month, went alone in 53.1 and 38.3.

Pleasure, two wins from seven starts, was timed 800m in 54 seconds even, the last 600 in 38.6, and she will go well in a fresh state.

Colorado Star (open 1600m) and stablemate Cholula (r65 1600m), two more for Hastings, ran 1000m in 1.9.1, coming the final 800m in 51.3, the last 600 in 38.2.

Oceanides, in at New Plymouth on Friday (r65 2000m), left 1000m behind in 1.10.9, the last 600 in 38.9, and last-start winner Semper Magico (r74 1600m) recorded 1.11.3 and 38.1.

Kusuda, another last-start winner heading to New Plymouth or Hastings, was behind stablemate Frankenstein early over 1000m (1.13.8), but they finished together, clocking 38.1 for the last 600m.

Hastings rivals Rock Island Line and Platinum Star (r74 1600m) were sent 1000m in 1.7.6, the last 600 in 39 seconds even, and Berry The Cash, in on Friday (r65 2000m), took 1.12 and 39.9.

Venato, unlucky not to pay a dividend at Trentham last start, ran an easy 800m in 55.2, the last 600 in 39.7, and New Plymouth entrant Odysseus (r65 1400m) covered 1200m, being timed from the 1000m in 1.16.6, the last 600 in 40.1.