Fast work was held a few metres out from the rail on the course proper or on the plough.

Anderson Bridge used the course proper and had Bruno Queiroz aboard over 1000m in 1.8.7, with the final 800m taking 53.4, the last 600 in 37.4.

The Savabeel gelding has not started since his disappointing run in the Awapuni Gold Cup four weeks ago after a narrow win at Trentham.

He has been entered for Saturday's $80,000 Easter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton.

Former northerner Talentoso, now with Shaun and Hazel Fannin, covered 1000m in 1.8.3 and finished with 800m in 53.7, the last 600 in 37.6. He is coming to hand well and ran second at the Foxton trials two weeks ago.

Testing (by Time Test), not seen since the spring, had unraced two-year-old filly Aim To Miss (by Derryn) for a partner over a 600-metre sprint in 37.5.

Zackery, who has not won a race for over a year, worked alone over 1000m in 1.5.7, with the final 800m taking 52.4, the last 600 in 38.7.

Lalume, a beaten favourite on debut two weeks ago, and stablemate Punisher gathered speed from the 1000m (1.11.3) to finish with 800m in 54.8, the last 600 in 38.5. They were entered for Tauherenikau on Sunday.

Unraced two-year-old Go Annie (by Armory) and unraced three-year-old Riverina Lass, fillies trained by the Fannin partnership, went 1000m in 1.12.2 and 38.8.

On the plough, last-start Wanganui winners Swordsman and Kereti ran 1000m in 1.12.6, coming the final 800m in 52.1, the last 600 in 39.8, while their stablemate Afterthought was kept to 800m in 57.6, the last 600 in 40.7.