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

McKhan used the course proper and had one of his regular riders Liam Kauri in the saddle over 1600 metres, being timed from the 1000m in 1.1.9. He finished off with 800m in 49.1, the last 600 in 35.3.

The eight-year-old has not raced since finishing unplaced in the Taumarunui Gold Cup at the end of July. He will begin his New Zealand Cup schedule at Hastings on Saturday week.

Wind Talker, who showed aplomb during the synthetic track series at Awapuni, and stablemate Jack Morrison ran 1000m in 1.6.9, with the final 800m taking 51.3, the last 600 in 36.6.

Platinum Attack was sent 1000m in 1.9.8, the last 600 in 37.7, while his stablemates Gambling Girl (by Ace High) and a Tarzino filly did 800m in 51.9 and 37.2.

Gambling Girl, a half-sister to Belardo Boy, finished third at the Foxton trials two weeks ago.

All On Red and Dolly Pardon were paired over 1000m in 1.8.1, the last 600 in 38.8, while Too Sweet, Testing and Joyful Anna all went together in 1.9.2 and 38.9.

Too Sweet and Testing are acceptors for Saturday's r65 1000m at Trentham, and Joyful Anna debuts in the 3yo 1000m. She ran third in a Foxton trial in June and has since won a Levin jump-out.

Ima Brazen One was timed 800m in 54.1, the last 600 in 38.5, while Platinum Diamond and an Ardrossan colt went together in 56.5 and 38.6.

Wellington acceptors Wingman (r75 1400m), Wonderboy (r65 mile) and High Rock (mdn 1400m) all went together over 1000m in 1.9.9, the last 600 in 39.1.

Wingman will race without blinkers on Saturday, and High Rock will have side winkers placed on.

Coulthard (r75 1400m) worked alone over a quiet 1000m in 1.11.7, the last 600 in 39.9, while his stablemate Roco Kate (by El Roca), an unraced four-year-old mare, took 1.11.1 and 39.6.

Hoorah Henry, who will have a tongue tie added to the gear for the r75 1400m on Saturday, ran 1000m in 1.10.2, the last 600 in 40.1.

Falcrests Belle (r65 1000m) covered 800m in 57 seconds even, the last 600 in 40.5, and Pleasing, not seen on race-day since May, took 57.6 and 40 seconds even.

Charmstruck and a Fierce Impact gelding completed 800m in 58.1, the last 600 in 40.5, while their stablemates Omega Boy (open mile) and Lucullan were kept to 58.4 and 40.9. Justashotaway (mdn mile) clocked 58.8 and 40.4.

A St Mark's Basilica colt and a Showtime colt, both trained by the Didham partnership, sprinted 600m in 40 seconds even, and they are preparing for the Ready To Run Sale at Karaka in mid-November.

A maiden by All Too Hard and one by The Bold One, both trained by the Gray partnership, ran 600m in 41.2, and Midnight Dart, in at Trentham (3yo 1000m), was kept to 41.6.

On the plough, Watershed (by Bivouac), not seen since April, and unraced stablemate Roman Around (by Vespa), third at the Levin jump-outs, ran 800m in 55.7, the last 600 in 39.9.

Their unraced stablemates Komprezor (by Almanzor) and Billow Wave (by Ocean Park) went 1000m in 1.9.8, the last 600 in 40.2. Komprezor was third at the Levin jump-outs as well.

Unraced three-year-old Mac Attack (by Harry Angel), who debuts on Saturday (3yo 1000m) with a Levin jump-out win under his belt, and Sevenayes ended with 42.3; a Sword Of State filly and a Niagara filly, both from the same stable, went together in 42.6.

Showbastian Coe was let off with 600m in 43.1; Intention (r65 1000m) 45.4; and a Sword Of State filly and a Contributer filly together in 47.4. All four belong to the same barn.

On the synthetic track, Caliber (by Armory), unplaced on debut in June, and unraced Zino Noir (by Tarzino) sprinted 600m in 44.1. They are trained by Mike Breslin as well.