Fast work was held on the middle of the course proper or on the plough.

McKhan used the course proper late in the session and had trainer Ashley Meadows aboard over 1000m in 1.6.1, coming the final 800m in 50.1, the last 600 in 35.3.

The Mongolian Khan gelding heads to Wanganui on Saturday for the r75 2040 metres, a race he won last year in the hands of apprentice Toni Davies. He has had nine races in the interim for a second and four thirds.

He will be reunited with claiming apprentice Liam Kauri (2kg), who has won on the seven-year-old once previously.

Knickerless, not engaged this weekend, did nice work over 1000m in 1.6.4, covering  the final 800m in 51.9, the last 600 in 37.7.

Coney Island, who is working solidly, had Ocean Melody for a partner over 1000m in 1.8.5, with the final 800m taking 53.4, the last 600 in 37.5. Coney Island, is one of five Lisa Latta-trained horses in the r65 2040m at Wanganui on Saturday.

Not to be denied, Sunday's synthetic track entrants Wonderboy (r74 1400m) and Punisher (mdn 2140m) ran 1000m in 1.8.8, completing the final 800m in 52 seconds even, the last 600 in 37.6.

Street Appeal, in Sunday's maiden 1700m, worked alone over 1000m in 1.8.7, covering the final 800m in 52.2, the last 600 in 37.8.

Derrick, very disappointing at Otaki last start, gathered speed from the 1000m (1.13.1) to finish with 800m in 53.9, the last 600 in 37.4.

No Love Lost, and Rocket Ronnie, acceptors at both Wanganui and Manawatu, had Lalume for company over 1000m in 1.8.9 and 53.3, the last 600 in 38.6.

No Love Lost will have a nose band added to the gear, and Lalume will have blinkers added on Sunday (mdn 1700m).

Semper Magico, not engaged this weekend, ran 1000m in 1.9.1, the last 600 in 39.8, while Rocking Light posted 1.10.2 and 39.2, and Sweettest took 1.13.1 and 39.8.

Homeland (by Staphanos), down to debut on Saturday (mdn 1340m), and Silent Applause left 1000m behind in 1.9.7, the last 600 in 40.3, and Sloane Square, in on Sunday (mdn 2140m), clocked 1.11.6 and 40.1.

Our Giulia and Timex, both in the r71 1700m on Sunday, were kept to 1000m in 1.12.5, the last 600 in 40.4, and Saturday runner Ribella Rose (r65 2040m) was quiet with 1.14.5 and 40.9. Super Flash did 1.14.3 and 41.8.

On the plough, Shameless Star showed she was up to the mark for Wanganui (3yo (1340m) with a nice gallop over 1000m in 1.6.6, finishing with 800m in 51.5, the last 600 in 37.9.

John Doe, who has not raced since early March, ran 800m in 57.1, the last 600 in 39.5.