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

Platinum Diamond, in the w-f-a mile at Wanganui, and Connello used the course proper, reeling off 1000m in a smart 1.4.6, with the final 800m taking 49 seconds even, the last 600 in 34.8.

Lucullan and stablemate Shameless Star, both in grand form, were paired over 1000m 1.7.1, clocking 50.3 for the final 800m, the last 600 in 35.1.

Sir Mikki had Deadly Pony for a partner over 1000m in 1.6.4, the last 600 in 35.7, and their stablemate Redana went alone in 1.6.5 and 36.5.

Coney Island and Starpello reeled off a smart 1000m in 1.8.1, the last 600 in 36.9. Coney Island, who starred in training last week, has recorded successive seconds in his last two starts.

Kosta and Call A Friend were timed 1000m in 1.9.3, the last 600 in 36.4, and Derrick, disappointing last start, gathered speed from the 1000m (1.9.9) to finish in 36.5.

In similar work, Testing had stablemate Tsarista alongside over 1000m in 1.11.1, the last 600 in 36.3. Tsarista (by Tarzino) raced very greenly on debut at Woodville last month.

Platinum Sixty Six and Chelsea Rose were revelling in their work over 1000m in 1.5.5, the last 600 in 37.7, while stablemates Ribella Rose and Ocean Melody posted 1.6.4 and 37.2.

Punisher shaded Lalume at the end of 1000m in 1.6.7, the last 600 in 37.7, and their stablemates Bradman and Wonderboy recorded 1.6.8 and 37.8.

Danjuro and Victortheinflictor matched strides over 1000m in 1.7.9, the last 600 in 37.1, and McKhan, with trainer Ashley Meadows in the saddle, went alone in 1.8.2 and 37.3.

Pinkerton was another to work alone, covering 1000m in 1.8.7, the last 600 in 37.1, followed soon after by Heartofaces, a good third last start, and Lady Anglesea in 1.8.8 and 37.9.

Weneedashock and Fourty Eight came to the finish of 1000m in 1.9.6, the last 600 in 37.5, while No Love Lost, third on debut, and unraced three-year-old Rocket Ronnie (by Ocean Park), nominated for Wanganui, took 1.10.1 and 37.2. 

Dark Deluxe and Cremant were locked together over 1000m, being timed the final 800m in 52.1, the last 600 in 37.9. In similar work, The Liquidator and Super Gold took 53.6 and 38.8. Popinjay and unraced two-year-old Caliber (by Armory) ended with 38.6.

Keepitinyourwallet and Afterthought did even work over 1000m in 1.10.4, the last 600 in 38.3, and Belardo Boy was kept to 1.12.7 and 38.9. He won this Saturday’s Wanganui feature race in 2024 and finished second last year.

Oklahoma and unraced three-year-old Homeland (by Staphanos), nominated for Wanganui, ran 1000m in 1.9.1, the last 600 in 39.1, and Showbastian Coe went alone in 1.12.4 and 39.9.

On the plough, Share Power and Cry Baby did a quiet round before galloping 800m in 51.5, the last 600 in 37.8, while a Vespa filly and a Cassius The Colt gelding, both trained by Mike Breslin, took 56.5 and 40.9.

Donnybrook and Al Passo ended with 600m in 41.4, and last-start winner Ima Brazen One clocked 41 seconds even.