Fast work was held on the plough or the synthetic track.

Knickerless used the plough and had stablemate Qacentina (Otaki) for a partner over 1000m in a very smart 60.1, with the final 800m taking 48 seconds even, the last 600 in 35.9.

Knickerless won a low-grade mile at Trentham in early December but, in three subsequent starts at the same venue, has not finished in the top six.

A form reversal is on the cards, and her record at Tauherenikau includes a win, three seconds and a fourth. She is also an acceptor for the r65 mile for fillies and mares.

McKhan worked alone and had trainer Ashley Meadows in the saddle over a quiet round before galloping 1000m in 1.1.5, covering the final 800m in 48.5, the last 600 in 35.7.

Two thirds from two starts in a new campaign have brought him forward in leaps and bounds.

John Doe (r65 1400m) did similar work, gathering speed from the 1000m (1.8.3) to finish with 800m in 51.5, the last 600 in 37 seconds even.

Blue Jeanie, another Wairarapa Cup entrant, had stablemate Street Appeal alongside over 1000m in 1.9.1, increasing the tempo as they went to record 52.4 for the final 800m, the last 600 in 37.4.

Keeping Time, in on Friday (r75 1300m), and Golden Lining (Otaki) were paired over 1000m in 1.6.9, the last 600 in 38.3, while Donatello, unplaced on debut, and Derrick (Otaki) took 1.7.1 and 38.1.

Altezza and two-year-old filly Tifosi (by Super Seth) were timed 800m in 55.6, the last 600 in 38.4, and their stablemate Abbakiss ended with 39.3.

Wairarapa Cup runner Thrilling and three-year-old filly Under Orders (Otaki) matched strides throughout 1000m in 1.9.5, completing the final 800m in 54.1, the last 600 in 39.8.

Unraced three-year-old filly Kate's Escape (by Turn Me Loose) and a Tivaci gelding were kept to 800m in 58.1, the last 600 in 40.1. They are with Bryce Newman, and Kate's Escape is a half-sister to Uncle Arch.

Casino, who has not raced since mid-December, ran 800m in 58.1, the last 600 in 41.7, and Pepeha recorded 58.1 and 42.6. Sand Point (Otaki) ended with 42.6, and his stablemate Kereti clocked 42.8.

Platinum Norway, in on Friday (mdn 1300m), and stablemate Bantry (Otaki) went 1000m in 1.13.8 and 57.3, the last 600 in 41.8.

On the synthetic track, Charmstruck (by Anders) and She's A Weapon (by Armory), two-year-olds trained by the Didham partnership, were timed 800m in an easy 56.1, the last 600 in 40.2.

Charmstruck was unplaced on debut in the Wellesley Stakes at Trentham early last month and has been placed at the trials since, while She's A Weapon won a Levin jump-out two weeks ago.

They clash in the juvenile event on Friday, with blinkers added to Charmstruck's gear. 

Both horses hold a nomination for the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes late next month.