Fast work was on the outside of the course proper after 6mm of rain overnight, with just one gallop recorded on the synthetic track.
Brutiful Lass and Carlow used the course proper and were paired over 1000m in 1.7.3, with the final 800m taking 52 seconds even, the last 600 in 36.6.
Brutiful Lass is well overdue a winning turn, with 11 races so far yielding three seconds and four thirds. She steps back to 1200 metres at Otaki on Friday.
Race rival Carlow, not seen since his two races in the spring, resumes the same day. He finished second on debut last year and could do it again fresh up. The blinkers come off.
Three-year-old filly Acushla (by Ribchester), not seen since January, and unraced two-year-old gelding Woolf (by Tivaci), a trial winner in February, drew attention when running 1000m in 1.9.1, finishing with 800m in 53.1, the last 600 in 36.8. They are with Chrissy Bambry.
Sotirio and unraced three-year-old Breaker Bay (by Embellish) were timed 1000m in 1.10.6, quickening from the 800m in 52.9, the last 600 in 36.9. Breaker Bay was placed at the trials two week ago.
Wellington Cup winner Manzor Blue had Jonathan Riddell aboard when working alone over 1000m in 1.12.4, gathering speed as she went, ending with 800m in 53.5, the last 600 in 36.7.
Bambry-trained The Finnster worked alone as well, covering 1000m in 1.6.7, the last 600 in 37.3, and Cheval de Foudre posted 1.6.9 and 37.4. Lady Anglesea and Amazing Son went together in 1.7.9 and 37.6.
Lumos Solem, beaten on debut in March, and unraced stablemate Pure Shores, both trained by Samantha Finnegan, ran 800m in 52.8, the last 600 in 37.4. Pure Shores has won at the trials.
Our Giulia and Turn It Up matched strides over 1000m in 1.6.3, the last 600 in 38.7, while Coney Island and Starpello recorded 1.6.6 and 38.2.
Offertory had Danjuro for a partner over 1000m in 1.7.5, the last 600 in 38.1, while Leica Ace and unraced three-year-old New York (by Ribchester) went 1.8.2 and 38.5. These two are in the Fannin barn.
Ima Brazen One left 1000m behind in 1.10.8, sprinting the last 600 in 38.3, followed soon after by Jungle Jane from the Gray stable in 1.7.9 and 39.2.
Brian and Confide were sent 1000m together in 1.7.2 and 39.3, and last-start synthetic track winner Kereti went alone in 1.9.4 and 39 seconds even.
Tsarista and unraced three-year-old Sauron (by Per Incanto) ran 1000m in 1.8.5, the last 600 in 39.1, while Platinum La Danse and Dark Deluxe came up with 1.9.9 and 39.2.
Startles, who finished third on debut at Trentham last month, and Blondmoon, third at Woodville, went 800m in 54.2, the last 600 in 39.3. They are trained by Chrissy Bambry.
Exaggeration, who will race on the synthetic track next Friday, was kept to 1000m in 1.10.4, the last 600 in 40.9, while Sir Mikki and Ocean Melody clocked 1.11.1 and 42.3.
On the synthetic track, Where’s Ange had co-trainer Hazel Fannin aboard over a strong round, being timed the final 1000m in 1.5.3, the last 600 in 37 seconds even.