Lincoln Raider and stablemate Lincoln's Kruz, on the course proper, and two-year-old filly Wolverine, on the plough, were very impressive workers Awapuni this morning.
Fast gallops took place on the outside of the course proper (dead) or on the plough (good). The majority of horses timed were entered for Wellington on Saturday.
Lincoln Raider and Lincoln's Kruz used the course proper and were locked together over 1000m in 1.5.3, the last 600 in 35.8.
Both horses blotted the copybooks last start with runs that are best forgotten, given they had excuses. Either of them could make amends at Trentham.
Last-start winner Sindacato and stablemate Town Cryer were paired over 1200m in 1.18.6, coming in from the 1000m in 1.6.4, the last 600 in 36.9.
Prioress and Chikira Lass were on terms over 1000m in 1.9.9, the last 600 in 37.7, and their stablemate Champagne Sunday, a game third fresh up, went alone in 1.9.1 and 38.1.
Similar times were recorded by Tweedledee, who went 1000m in 1.9.2, the last 600 in 38.6, and stablemate Carlingford Bay, who clocked 1.9.8 and 38.8.
Make Time left 1000m behind in 1.12.4, the last 600 in 38.5, while Lurid and an El Roca filly posted 1.11.8 and 39 even.
Ten-year-old gelding Master Fin, a last-start winner of the Bulls Country Cup (2200m), gathered speed from the 1200m mark to be timed from the 1000m in 1.12.8, the last 600 in 42.2.
On the plough, Wolverine skipped over 1000m in 1.4 even, the last 600 in 35.8, emphasising she is in tip-top order for the Group 2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham on Saturday.
The Tivaci filly won a trial at Foxton in mid-October then scored first-up win at Otaki two weeks later. The Karaka Million is her major goal.
Raffle and Dedoje matched strides over 1000m in 1.5.2, the last 600 in 37 even, followed straight after by Bobby Dee and unraced two-year-old filly Kana (Tivaci-Tick Tock) in 1.5.9 and 37.6.
Kana won three trials in the spring, all over 850 metres, and could debut in the Wakefield Challenge Stakes on Saturday.
Khant Catch Her, unlucky not to have paid a dividend at New Plymouth last start, and Fuji Dancer were sent 1000m in 1.8.1, the last 600 in 37.2. They could clash on Thursday.
Captain Cook Stakes runner House Of Cartier was at a good clip early over 800m in 49.6, easing over the last 600 to finish with 38.3.
Balalaika covered 800m in 52.8, the last 600 in 38.3, and an Ocean Park gelding trained by Jeff Lynds took 51.4 and 38.5.
Jessie's Rock, unplaced when resuming, worked quietly over a round before speeding up on the second circuit to run 800m in 54.3, the last 600 in 39.9.
Quatromosa left 1000m behind in 1.8.2, the last 600 in 40.5, while Parisian Poppy, third at Awapuni last start, and unraced three-year-old filly Better Days (by Preferment) went together in 1.9.1 and 40 even.
Ansu was kept to 1000m in 1.13.8, the last 600 in 40.9, while Colorado Star and Hungry recorded a quiet 1.15.1 and 41.3. Putorino, unplaced when resuming a few weeks ago, took 1.16.5 and 43.3, and is a big improver.