Timberlake and Queen Of Spades drew plenty of admirers for the Wellington meeting on Saturday when they worked in good fashion at Awapuni this morning.

All fast work was on the outside of the heavy (puggy) course proper.

Timblerlake (r74 mile) and Hikon (r65 2200m) were paired over 1000m in 1.16.2, coming the final 800m in 53.9, the last 600 in 39.8.

Timberlake, who is having just his second start for new trainer Roydon Bergerson, recorded three earlier wins for the Peter and Dawn Williams partnership.

All three wins were on heavy tracks, ranging from 1400m to 2100m, so he should be right at home in the wet conditions at Trentham.

Hikon cleared maidens at Otaki last start when stepping up to a middle-distance (2100m) for the first time, and this week tackles 2200m. Both horses will be ridden by apprentice Hazel Schofer, who claims a kilo.

Time honours this morning went to Mike Breslin-trained maidens Crossfire and Valhalla Rising, who went 1000m together in 1.15.4, taking 52.6 for the final 800m, the last 600 in 39 seconds even.

Crossfire (by Iffraaj) placed second to Duncan's Creek on debut last month, and has trained on strongly, while Valhalla Rising is knocking on the door, despite a disappointing run last start in very testing ground.

Amosia, who finally cleared maidens last start, was sent 800m, the last 600 in 39.3, while Havarti and Kana ended with 39.5.

Queen Of Spades (r65 1400m) and Canucia matched strides over 800m in 58.2, the last 600 in 40.6.

Queen Of Spades has two seconds and a fourth on the board after four races in a new campaign, and her sole victory to date was over 1400m on a heavy track last spring.

Colorado Star and Flying Surf were on terms throughout 1000m in 1.16.3, the last 600 in 41 seconds even, and Wellington runner Venato

(r65 1400m) covered 800m in 56.6 and 41.7.

Princess Ani and Nun So Bad were at a good clip early over 1000m in 1.14.4, coming the final 800m in 56.6, the last 600 in 42.3, easing down.

Their stablemates Son Of Thunder and Soowin worked more evenly over the same distance in 1.17.2, clocking the final 800m in 58 seconds even, the last 600 in 42.6.

The True Believer, in on Saturday (mdn 1400m) after a narrow defeat on debut at Woodville, ran 1000m in 1.16.6, the last 600 in 43.6, while Almeraki and a Jakkalberry gelding ended with 42.2.

Uncle Charlie, yet to run in the money in two races so far, was kept to 800m in 59.7, the last 600 in 44.2.