Fast work was held on the middle of the course proper, on the synthetic track or on the plough after light overnight rain.

Belardo Boy used the course proper and was timed 1000m in 1.6.1, the last 600 in 35.4, as the rising eight-year-old prepared for Saturday's Opunake Cup (1400m).

Farravallo covered 800m in 51.7, the last 600 in 35.2. He had stablemate No Love Lost for a partner early in the gallop, but drew away from her over the concluding stages.

My Alibi, whose best form is on heavy tracks, and three-year-old filly stablemate Sapphire did sharp work as well, clocking 1.4.6 for 1000m, the last 600 in 36.6.

Sapphire has finished well back in her two races on grass tracks so far, but will switch to the synthetic track on Friday.

Benefactor, another in the Opunake Cup, worked alone over 1000m in 1.7.1, the last 600 in 36.3, while his stablemates Cremant and Belzoni went together in 1.8.6 and 36.6.

Platinum Diamond (Opunake Cup) and Love Janie matched strides throughout 1000m, being timed from the 800m in 51.6, the last 600 in 36.4, and Winter Cup prospect Bradman sprinted 600m in 36.9.

Platinum Sixty Six and Deadly Pony came to the finish of 1000m in 1.6.5, the last 600 in 37.1, followed soon after by stablemates Rithim and Identikit in 1.7.6 and 37.4.

Donnybrook had Al Passo alongside over 1000m in 1.7.8, the last 600 in 37.5, while Wonderboy and Ride The Tide took 1.7.7 and 37.6.

Bee Precious had senior jockey Kavish Chowdhoory in the saddle over 800m in 51.1, the last 600 in 37.6, with Cassius The Colt (by Alamosa), who debuts on Friday, and stablemate Kosta going together in 54.3 and 37.8.

Subtle Image gathered speed from the 1200m to run his final 1000m in 1.6.6, the last 600 in 38 seconds even, while his stablemates Victortheinflictor and Can Do posted 1.9.6 and 38.2. 

On Friday, Subtle Image and Victortheinflictor will each attempt back-to-back wins on the synthetic track.

Knickerless, who will improve immensely from her run at Waverley two weeks ago, covered 1000m in 1.7.4, the last 600 in 39.1.

Three-year-old filly Where's Ange (by King Of Comedy) had co-trainer Hazel Fannin aboard over 1000m in 1.12.3, the last 600 in 39.5. She was placed at the Waverley trials last month and is down to debut on the synthetic track on Friday.

Showbastian Coe, who has recorded four wins and six seconds on the synthetic track, sprinted 600m in an easy 40.7, and is a huge chance again on Friday.

Last-start maiden winner Street Appeal was not chasing the clock over 1000m in 1.13.4, the last 600 in 41.9, and Galeforce, trained by Lydia Pickford, took 1.14.1 and 43.1.

On the synthetic track, Dancing Shadow had Lisa Allpress aboard over 800m in 50.7, the last 600 in 36.2, and stablemate So We Go (Allpress) clocked 54.6 and 38.2.

Red Lady went with All In Vain over 800m in 54.7, the last 600 in 38.3, while Kodiac Bear worked alone in 54.9 and 40.4.

Karryn was kept to 57.7 and 41.7, and Dazz did 58.3 and 43.4. All seven horses are trained by the Gray partnership, with Red Lady and Dazz both looking for back-to-back synthetic track wins on Friday.

On the plough, unraced two-year-olds Returntoinnocence (by King's Legacy) and Overtime (by Time Test) ran 800m in 56.7, the last 600 in 38.9. They are trained by Lydia Pickford.