Fast work was held on the extreme outside of the course proper, on the plough or on the synthetic track, amid frosty conditions.

Knickerless used the course proper and reeled off 1000m in 1.4.1, completing the final 800m in 50.9, the last 600 in 36.5. She resumed after a short break with a much-needed run at Waverley last start and looks a big improver.

Good sprinter Farravallo, who won fresh up at Trentham four weeks ago, took the time honours with a 600-metre dash in 35.9.

East End Lad and Kosta were paired over 1000m in 1.6.5, with the final 800m taking 51.8, the last 600 in 37 seconds even.

Coney Island and Sir Mikki matched strides over 1000m in 1.6.7, coming the final 800m in 52.7, the last 600 in 37.6.

Popinjay and Al Passo were timed 1000m in 1.8.1 and finished off with 800m in 53.6, the last 600 in 37.5, while Leica Ace went alone in 1.8.3 and 53.5, the last 600 in 37.8.

Testing and Turn It Up, both looking for improved performances after fresh-up runs at Waverley and Hawera respectively, did 800m in 55.7, the last 600 in 37.9.

Kereti did nice work on his own over 1000m in 1.6.6, the last 600 in 38.8, while Rithim, who is ready to win on Friday, and Identikit went together in 1.7.7 and 38.1.

Midnight Dart had Carlow for a partner over 800m in 53.9, the last 600 in 38.6, followed by Too Sweet and Wingman in 56.2 and 38.1. Kiboko posted 56.9 and 38.7.

Victortheinflictor and unraced stablemate The Loose Moose (by Ace High) ran 1000m in 1.7.9, the last 600 in 39.2. The Loose Moose is a half-brother to former Wellington Cup winner Lincoln King (by Shocking).

Platinum Diamond and Lady Anglesea covered 1000m in 1.9.1, with the final 800m taking 54.1, the last 600 in 39.6. Their stablemates Amazing Son and Belzoni were kept to 1.11.1 and 56.1, the last 600 in 39.7.

Where's Ange, hard to beat on Friday, and unraced three-year-old filly New York (by Ribchester) ran 1000m in 1.7.6, the last 600 in 40.5, and Belardo Boy was kept to 1000m in 1.8.7, the last 600 easing down in 40.1.

Redana and Platinum Sixty Six were locked together over 1000m in 1.8.8, the last 600 in 40.5, while Rocking Light went alone in 1.10.1 and 40.3. Wind Talker posted 1.10.2 and 40.4.

Unraced youngsters So We Pray (by Bivouac) and Joyful Anna (by Proisir), both trained by Roydon Bergerson, ended with 600m in 42.8. Sotirio recorded 43.2, while Pistachio and rising three-year-old filly Summer Flyer (by Noverre)  clocked 45.1.

On the plough, Mac Attack (by Harry Angel) and Zino Noir (by Tarzino), rising three-year-olds trained by Mike Breslin, ended with 600m in 40.9, and Intention took 43.9.

On the synthetic track, Tokyodome and Cry Baby did two quiet rounds with a 600-metre dash at the end of each one, clocking 38.2 on the second occasion.

Rising four-year-old Komprezor (by Almanzor), who is unraced, and an Ocean Park filly ran 600m in 38.7. They are in the Breslin barn.