Fast work was held a few metres out from the rail on the course proper (track good), on the plough (good) or on the synthetic track.

Coulthard and Sax Appeal used the course proper and went 1000m together in 1.3.9, with the final 800m taking 49.4, the last 600 in a smart 35.1.

Coulthard won two races in season 24/25. He was unsuccessful last term (25/26), but did chalk up four seconds, a third and a fourth.

The son of Redwood finished third at the Foxton trials two weeks ago, and his work this morning was a terrific follow-up.

His galloping partner Sax Appeal included a third and fourth in her four races as a two-year-old last season.

The daughter of Saxon Warrior is building nicely for the new term, and finished second at the Levin jump-outs last week.

Ocean Melody, holding solid form, and stablemate Chelsea Rose were paired over 1000m this morning in 1.6.9, coming the final 800m in 49.9, the last 600 in 35.7. Chelsea Rose has not raced since the end of May.

Portrush, a last-start winner in April, and Pinafore left 1000m behind in 1.5.5 and covered the final 800m in 50.8, the last 600 in 35.8.

Pinafore was unplaced in the Sires' Produce Stakes in March and has not raced since. She is coming to hand well judging by a second at the trials followed by this morning's gallop.

Lumos Solem, in at Taranaki on Saturday (mdn 2000m),  and a Ribchester filly did eye-catching work as well, clocking 1.3.4 for 1000m, the final 800m in 49.5, the last 600 in 36.2.

Heza Monty, a last-start maiden winner in May, had trainer Ashley Meadows aboard over 1000m in 1.8.7 and 51.6, sprinting the last 600 in 36.1. He was second at the Levin jump-outs last week.

A Hanseatic two-year-old and a Bivouac two-year-old, both trained by Lisa Latta, ran 800m in 55.4, the last 600 in 37.5, while May Wirth and unraced three-year-old filly Temptastic (by Tassort) took 55.8 and 38.5.

He's A Doozy and Manzor Blue went even time over 1000m in 1.7.7, completing the final 800m in 52.4, the last 600 in 38.1.

Wonderboy, in at Taranaki on Saturday (r65 1800m), and Aim To Miss (by Derryn), who debuts at Woodville on Sunday (mdn 3yo 1100m), ran 1000m in 1.10.1, the last 600 in 38.8. Aim To Miss won at the Foxton trials two weeks ago.

Her unraced stablemates And So We Pray (by Bivouac) and Joyful Anna (by Proisir) ran 1000m in 1.14.3, the last 600 in 38.3.

Sweettest, who races over hurdles on Sunday, was timed 1000m in 1.15.1, the last 600 in 40.9, while her stablemate and race rival Pinkerton posted 1.16.5 and 41 even. Kawatiri ended 800m with 600 in 40.6.

Tokyodome and Cry Baby worked right-handed over 1000m, the last 600 in 41.1, and Tokydome tackles the $75,000, r65 2200m at Ellerslie on Saturday, with Corentin Berge the rider.

On the plough, smart mare Intention and unraced stablemate Mac Attack (by Harry Angel) ran 800m in 53.8, the last 600 in 39.4.

Popinjay, in at Woodville (r65 2100m), and Donnybrook ended with 600m in 42 even; Komprezor (by Almanzor) and Billow Wave (by Ocean Park) 42.7; Sevenayes and Watershed 42.9; Ima Brazen One 43.1; Kate's Escape 44.7; and Buckfast Abbey 45.8.

Sloane Square, racing at Woodville on Sunday (spec. steeple), ran 1000m twice, recording 1.15.9 and 43.9 the first time, and 1.12.5 and 42.9 on the second circuit.

On the synthetic track, Blue Jeanie ended with 600m in 40.5; Abbakiss 42.8; and Uncle Arch 47.2. All three are trained by Bryce Newman.