East End Lad and Kereti from the Breslin stable and Ashley Meadows-trained The Scunner were the star trialists at Awapuni on Tuesday morning.

The majority of fast work was held five metres out from the rail on the course proper, with four gallops on the plough and one on the synthetic track.

East End Lad and Kereti used the course proper and sped over 1000m in 1.3.1, the last 600 in a very smart 34 seconds even.

Both horses finished out of the money at Wanganui last start, but there was plenty of merit in each run. They have trained on impressively for Trentham on Saturday.

Just two others broke 35 seconds for the last 600m and they were Toronto and Albarossa from the Gray stable, who went together over 800m in 49.8, the last 600 in 34.4.

The Scunner and stablemate Heza Monty recorded the fastest 1000m time, covering the distance in 1.1.6, the last 600 in 35.6.

The Scunner has not raced since his Group 3 second placing in the Thompson Hcp at Trentham on Labour weekend, but has been kept right up to the mark for Saturday's Group 3 sprint, back at Trentham.

Heza Monty has raced only twice for two sixths, but looks a big improver judging by this track gallop.

Bryce Newman-trained pair of Altezza and last-start winner Blue Jeanie ran 1000m in 1.3.7, the last 600 in 35.7. Blue Jeanie holds an early nomination for next month's Wellington Cup.

Danjuro and Can Do were paired over 1000m in 1.3.9, the last 600 in 35 seconds even, while their stablemates Lemaitre and Merrilegs were almost identical with 1.3.9 and 35.7.

Belle's Charm and Rithim were sent 800m in 50.1, the last 600 in 35.3, followed soon after by their stablemates Manzor Blue and Knickerless, who ran 1000m in 1.3.6, the last 600 in 36.2. Love Janie and Identikit posted 1.4.1 and 36.7.

Last-start winner Thrilling had Taranaki acceptor Port Chalmer for a partner over 1000m in 1.5.5, the last 600 in 36.6, while Kana and unraced four-year-old stablemate Pistachio (by Tivaci) took 1.6.4 and 36.7.

Too Sweet, working right-handed, tracked her stablemates Our Giulia and Reservoir, but finished on terms after 1200m in 1.20.3, the last 600 in 37.1. Too Sweet tackles the Group 3 Bonecrusher Stakes (1400m) at Pukekohe on Saturday.

Our Sniper and Damiano covered 1000m in 1.6.8, the last 600 in 37.3, while unraced two-year-old Sweetest Thing (Hello Youmzain) and unraced four-year-old Epitome (by Darci Brahma) sprinted 600m in 37.7.

My Alibi and Furiosa matched strides over 800m in 51.4, the last 600 in 37.3, and last-start winner Lucullan took 52.2 and 37.7. Ardroe clocked 52.6 and 37.4. Ardee Boy and Niemi were kept to 55.8 and 39.7.

On the plough, McKhan, who has not raced since mid-September, did a quiet round and a half, ending with a sprint home over 600m in 36.1.

Lydia Pickford-trained Emoji was timed 800m in 54.4, the last 600 in 38.8, and her stablemates La Fuego and Gale Force went together in 52.7 and 39.4.

Unraced four-year-old Derrick (by Derryn), trained by Ashley Meadows, was kept to 1000m in 1.13.7, the last 600 in 40.6. He finished second in a Foxton trial mid-October.

On the synthetic track, Showbastian Coe was not chasing the clock over 800m in 56.9, the last 600 in 42.4.