Fast work was held a few metres out from the rail on the course proper or on the plough in frosty conditions. Some good times were recorded.

Farravallo used the course proper and had stablemate Testing for a partner, drawing clear at the end of 1000m to clock 1.3.7, finishing with 800m in 48.1, the last 600 in 35.1.

Farravallo won fresh up on a heavy track at Trentham three weeks ago and is down to race in the open sprint (1100m) at Otaki on Saturday. Testing is in the same race.

Danjuro, trained by the Didham partnership, and Ocean Melody (Lisa Latta) went 1000m together in 1.6.8, with the final 800m taking 51.4, the last 600 in 35.6.

They are set to clash at Waverley on Friday (r75 2200m), with visor blinkers added to Danjuro's gear.  

Taumarunui Gold Cup contender McKhan had his race-day rider Liam Kauri aboard over a solid 1000m in 1.2.5, coming the final 800m in 49.6, the last 600 in 36.5.

Kauri will claim 2kg on Saturday, putting McKhan at a very competitive place at the weights.

Not to be denied this morning, Saturday week's Winter Cup prospect Bradman and stablemate Our Giulia recorded times almost identical as McKhan when paired over 1000m in 1.2.5. They completed the final 800m in 49.9, the last 600 in 36.7.

Five-year-old mare Sweettest, second in a maiden hurdle last start, showed her fitness with an impressive solo 1000m in 1.3.2 and 49.6, the last 600 in 36.2. She goes to Waverley on Friday (mdn 2200m), with blinkers going on.

Starpello and Confide matched strides over 1000m in 1.4.3, with the final 800m taking 50.5, the last 600 in 36.3, while Lumos Solem and a stablemate, both trained by Samantha Finnegan, did similar work together with 1.4.3 and 51.8, the last 600 in 36.6.

Turn it Up and unraced three-year-old I Toldyou (by Ribchester) were timed 1000m in 1.9.5, increasing the tempo as they went to finish with 800m in 51.9, the last 600 in 36 seconds even.

Sotirio and Sandbar gathered speed from the 1000m to run 800m in 52.3, the last 600 in 36.3. Sandbar has not raced since finishing last on debut in the Champagne Stakes at Riccarton in May.

Brutiful Lass and Lady Anglesea covered 1000m in 1.6.2, the last 600 in 37.3, while their stablemates Amazing Son and Platinum La Danse posted 1.7.7 and 37.6.

Leica Ace and Weneedashock ran 1200m, the last 600 in 38.9, followed soon after by Coney Island and Knickerless, who ended with 800m in 52.8, the last 600 in 38.2.

Waverley acceptors No Love Lost and Tsarista ended their work with 600m in 38.8. No Love Lost will have cheek burrs added to the gear, and Tsarista will have a shadow roll replacing blinkers.

Kosta and Kereti did nice, even work over 1000m in 1.7.1, with the final 800m taking 53.7, the last 600 in 39.3. Keepz Occurring was timed 800m in 55.1, the last 600 in 40.1.

On the plough, unraced two-year-olds Returntoinnocence (by King's Legacy) and Overtime (by Time Test) ran 800m in 56.4, the last 600 in 38.9. They did similar work last week, and are trained by Lydia Pickford.