Fast work was held a few metres out from the rail on the course proper, with the sting out of the ground. Times were very good again.

McKhan had regular rider Liam Kauri aboard over 1000m in 1.2.5, with the final 800m taking 48.3, the last 600 in 34.8.

The eight-year-old is on a New Zealand Cup mission after finishing second in a Foxton trial then unplaced over 2000 metres at Hastings. His next start is in Sunday's Waverley Cup.

Waipukurau trial winners Furiosa and Sandbar were the last pair to use the course proper and reeled off 1000m in 1.6.3, finishing with 800m in 49 seconds even, the last 600 in 34.9.

Wingman and his unraced stablemate And So We Pray (by Bivouac) sped over 800m in 49.8, the last 600 in 34.6. And So We Pray was a Waipukurau trial winner two weeks ago, and could debut at Waverley on Sunday. He also holds a nomination for the 2000 Guineas.

Gambling Girl (by Ace High) and Brutiful Lass were paired over 1000m in 1.5.3 and clocked 49.5 for the final 800m, the last 600 in 34.8.

Manzor Blue and Chelsea Rose matched strides over 1000m in 1.4.3, covering the final 800m in 50 seconds even, the last 600 in 35.7.

Lucullan and Baronies were locked together over 1000m in 1.6.7 and completed the final 800m in 51.3, the last 600 in 35.5.

Hoorah Henry and Platinum Diamond were timed 1000m in 1.8.1, increasing the tempo as they went to record 51 seconds even for the final 800m, the last 600 in 35.4.

Aim To Miss, second last start, and Wonderboy did 1000m in 1.8.6, with the final 800m taking 51.8, the last 600 in 35.9, while maiden Queen of France (by Ace High) went 1.8.7 and 51.8, the last 600 in 35.6.

Queen of France won a trial at Waipukurau two weeks ago, and could debut on Saturday.

Sotirio, trained by Matthew Eales, and unraced three-year-old filly Serenzino (Ashley Meadows) ran 1000m in 1.9.5, increasing the tempo to finish with 800m in 50.6, the last 600 in 35.1.

Shameless Star and The Loose Moose left 800m behind in 50.9, the last 600 in 35.8, while Sevenayes and Mac Attack took 51.5 and 35.7.

Waverley Cup entrant Donnybrook and Al Passo were paired over 1000m in 1.5.9, the last 600 in 36.1, followed soon after by All On Red and Roco Kate in 1.6.5 and 36.2.

Thrilling and Belzoni were locked together over 1000m in 1.6.1, the last 600 in 36.4, with Our Sniper and Bellass clocking 1.7.2 and 36.6.

Pinafore and Love Janie work right-handed and covered 1000m in 1.7.6, the last 600 in 36.2, while unraced filly Akawain (by Satono Aladdin) and an Ardrossan-Crowning Star filly, both in the Didham barn, did 800m in 55.1 and 36.9.

Kereti finished ahead of Intention over 1000m in 1.7.6, the last 600 in 37.3, with No Love Lost, Lalume and Tsarista all going 800m together in 52.7, the last 600 in 37 seconds even.

Marie Laveau, backed and beaten at Hawera, and a Written By filly stablemate took 54.5 and 37.3, while May Wirth and Summer Flyer clocked 54.6 and 40.1.

Unraced three-year-old filly Pop Star (by Proisir) and a filly by In The Congo sprinted 600m in 40.6, and are trained by the Didham partnership.