Fast work was held on the outside of the course proper, on the plough or on the synthetic track. Poor light prevented the timing of a few early gallops on course proper.

Donatello, an eye-catching second last start, and The Scunner used the course proper and sped over 1000m in 1.3.7, with the final 800m taking 49.7, the last 600 in 35.3. Donatello heads to Tauherenikau on Sunday.

Hoorah Henry and The Explosive were timed 1000m in 1.4.7, the last 600 in 35.9, while three-year-old filly Amiria was ahead of her stablemate Sevenayes after 800m in 50.5, the last 600 in 35.8.

Ribella Rose and Port Chalmer matched strides over 1000m in 1.4.8, the last 600 in 36.8, and Connello, working alone, was almost identical with 1.4.8 and 36.9.

He's A Doozy, with senior rider Jonathan Riddell aboard, gathered speed from the 1000m to finish with 800m in 51.4, the last 600 in 36.7. 

Unraced five-year-old gelding Mendacious and an unnamed three-year-old filly, both trained by Deborah Parry, ran 800m in 53.1, the last 600 in 36.6. Both horses are by Nadeem out of former good mare Veracious.

Redana did nice work on her own when covering 1000m in 1.5.1, the last 600 in 37 seconds even, while her stablemates Portrush and Darci Dior went together in 1.5.4 and 37.3.

Platinum Attack and Knickerless were paired over 1000m in 1.5.9, the last 600 in 37.1, followed soon after by Under Orders and Silent Applause in 1.6.1 and 37.2.

Masterton Cup entrant Platinum Goddess had Coney Island for a partner over 1000m in 1.7.4, the last 600 in 37 seconds even, while Furiosa and Kawatiri recorded 1.7.3 and 37.6.

Manuka Rush, who has not raced since the spring, and stablemate Derrick covered 1000m in 1.8.1, the last 600 in 37.1. Both horses are with Ashley Meadows.

Maiden two-year-old Sax Appeal, third last start, and two-year-old filly Dance To Exceed (by Exceedance), who debuts on Sunday, ran 1000m in 1.8.6, the last 600 in 38.1.

Donnybrook, entered for the NZ St Leger on Saturday, ended 1000m with 600 in 38.7.

On the plough, Heza Monty did a quiet round before galloping 1000m in 1.6 even, the last 600 in 37.9, and Pinkerton ended with 37.9 as well.

Super Gold was another to work over a quiet round before galloping at speed, clocking 1.8.2 for 1000m, the last 600 in 38.8.

Unraced two-year-olds Mac Attack (by Harry Angel) and Watershed (by Bivouac), both trained by Mike Breslin, ran 800m in 53.2, the last 600 in 39 seconds even. Mac Attack won at the Levin jump-outs last week.

Our Giulia and unraced four-year-old Waititi (by Reliable Man) gathered speed from the 1000m to finish with 600 in 40.9.  

Wind Talker (by Staphanos), not seen for almost a year, ended 1000m with 600 in 40.1, and her stablemate Super Flash took 41.7. A Tarzino gelding and an Ocean Park filly, both trained by Mike Breslin, ran 800m in 58.9, the last 600 in 42 even.

On the synthetic track, unraced two-year-old Magna Carta (by Sword Of State) and unraced four-year-old Al Passo (by Alamosa), geldings in the Breslin barn, sprinted 600m in 39.1. Magna Carta is a half-brother to What You Wish For.