The majority of fast work was a few metres out from the rail on the course proper.

Farravallo and Testing used the course proper and reeled off 1000m in 1.6.1, coming the final 800m in 50.5, the last 600 in 35.8. Farravallo resumes in the North Island Challenges Stakes (1200m) at Trentham on Saturday.

The Belardo gelding is no stranger to success at Trentham, having won over 1000 metres on a heavy track at the same meeting two years ago.

He has not raced since the spring, but won a Levin jump-out last month and finished second in a Waverley trial three weeks ago.

He will be ridden by stable apprentice Jim Chung, who will claim 1kg, bringing the horse's weight down to 53kg, so he should be hard to beat.

Last-start winner McKhan had his trainer Ashley Meadows aboard over 1000m in 1.8.1, with the final 800m taking 51.9, the last 600 in 36 seconds even.

Unraced three-year-olds Audax (by The Bold One) and Te One (by Super Easy) caught the eye with their 1000m in 1.7.1, the last 600 in 36.4. They are trained by Matthew Eales.

Audax missed a start at the Foxton trials on Tuesday when the last three heats were abandoned. He was placed at the Foxton trials last month and again at the Waverley trials three weeks ago.

Turn it Up and a Bivouac maiden were timed 800m in 54.9, the last 600 in 35.7, while Can Do and Pistachio took 52.7 and 37.2. Danjuro and Offertory clocked 52.8 and 37.6.

Sweettest, in one of the maiden hurdle races on Saturday, worked alone over 1000m in 1.6.8, the last 600 in 37.7. She did not complete the course in her hurdles debut at Trentham two weeks ago.

Her stablemate John Doe covered 1000m in 1.13.3, sprinting home the last 600 in 37.2, while Saturday's open 1500m runner Bradman, who worked strongly on Tuesday, was kept to 1000m in 1.10.7, the last 600 in 39.4.

The Pins gelding chalked up his tenth career win two weeks ago, his fourth at Trentham.

Sotirio (open 1200m), who won two races at Trentham this time last year, was not chasing the clock over 1000m in 1.15.2, the last 600 in 40.7.

Pinkerton, in the r65 2200m for amateur riders, ran an easy 1000m in 1.17.5, the last 600 in 41.9. He was ridden in the gallop by Skye Du Plessis, who takes the raceday mount on Saturday.

Silent Applause (r65 1400m) and last-start winner Belzoni ended with 600m in 43.3, and Platinum Diamond, in Saturday's Tauranga Classic, took 44.4.

On the plough, Our Sniper went an easy 600m in 43.7.