Pinkerton is ready to carry on where he left off a few months ago, judging by his bold gallop at Awapuni this morning.

Fast work was held on the plough (good) or on the synthetic track.

Pinkerton used the plough and sped over 1000m in 1.1.8, coming the final 800m in 48.1, the last 600 in 35.4.

The Niagara gelding was a last-start winner at Trentham in mid-June and was given a short break before returning to work. He was unplaced in an open trial at Otaki last week.

Not to be denied, Kahu Rock had co-trainer Hazel Schofer aboard over 1000m in 1.3.2, with the final 800m taking 48.4, the last 600 in 35.2.

He was hot favourite for a hurdling debut at Waverley three weeks ago, but lost his rider on the journey. He reverts to the flat for a highweight at Rotorua on Sunday.

Unraced four-year-old gelding Edison (by Staphanos) and a Sweynesse gelding, both trained by Mark Oulaghan, caught the eye with 800m in 48.1, the last 600 in 36.1.

Their stablemate Rocking Light, who could race at Rotorua (mdn hwt), was timed 1000m in 1.4.1, the last 600 in 37.5. He finished second at the Otaki trials last week.

Unraced three-year-old filly Hurry Home (by Sooboog), trained by the Fannin-Schofer partnership, covered 1000m in 1.7.7, the last 600 in 38.8.

Sacred Pearl, nominated for Taranaki on Saturday (open 1800m), gathered speed from the 1000m (1.9.1) to run home the last 600 in 38.9.

Jesko did two quiet rounds with a 600m sprint at the end of each one in 45.1 and 38.9 respectively, and could run in the maiden steeples at Rotorua on Sunday. He won a maiden hurdle at Te Aroha in early June.

Benefactor, whose form has been disappointing, ran 800m in 54.1, the last 600 in 39.3, and last-start Otaki winner Make Time did two quiet rounds with a 600m sprint at the end of each one in 43.5 and 42.1 respectively. He can back up with another win on Saturday (open 1400m).

On the synthetic track, Bryce Newman-trained Vavoom skipped over 800m in 48.7, the last 600 in 34.9, and she has not raced since the end of May.
Hasbulla and Aranui Lass, both freshened, ran 800m in 52.2, the last 600 in 36.1, while Papa Surf and French Doll took 53.7 and 39.2.

Altezza, another from the Newman barn, worked an easy 800m in 55.5, the last 600 in 39.1, and stablemate Rue Cler, off the scene since last spring, ended with 39.1 as well.

Lets All Boogie left 800m behind in 58.1, the last 600 in 40.9, while unraced four-year-old mare Blue Jeanie (by Satono Aladdin) and unraced three-year-old filly Street Appeal (by Ardrossan) went 600m in 41.4. They are in the Newman stable as well.

Newman's stakes placed mare Sugah Sweet was kept to a quiet 600m in 42.6.