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

Uncle Arch and Casino used the course proper and went together over 1000m in 1.4.5, with the final 800m taking 49.2, the last 600 in 35.7.

Bradman, who could be heading the same way, had stable apprentice Alan Lai aboard over 1000m in 1.1.1, covering the final 800m in 49.9, the last 600 in 36.1.

A Ribchester two-year-old trained by Sam Finnegan and a Sweynesse maiden (Matthew Eales) were timed 800m in 49.1, the last 600 in 36.4.

Chelsea Rose and Dark Deluxe matched strides over 1000m in 1.9.2, the last 600 in 37.9, and Keepitinyourwallett, with senior rider Chris Dell aboard, went alone in 1.7.5 and 38.1.

The Explosive, a leading chance in the maiden 1400m at Tauherenikau on Sunday, went with unraced four-year-old Sky Hawk (by Vadamos) over 1000m in 1.7.6, the last 600 in 38.4.

Coney Island caught the eye with his 1000m in 1.7.7, the last 600 in 38.5, and he could be an improver as he steps up to 1600m on Sunday (r60 mile).

Unraced five-year-old Mendacious (by Nadeem) had trainer Deborah Parry in the saddle over 1000m in 1.14.8, the last 600 in 38.5.

Too Sweet and Sweetest Thing were not chasing the clock over 1000m in 1.8.1, the last 600 in 39.8, while Sunday's Masterton Cup entrant Platinum Goddess and last-start maiden winner Starpello came up with 1.9.5 and 39.5.

On the plough, Saturday's NZ St Leger entrant Donnybrook and maiden Dapper Dan, in at Tauherenikau (mdn 2050m), did 800m in 52.3, the last 600 in 37.6, and their stablemate Amiria (mdn 1000m) posted 52.5 and 37.7.

Sevenayes, in the open mile at Trentham, and French Doll ended with 39.8, while an Armory gelding and an Almanzor filly, both trained by Mike Breslin, went 800m in 55.3, the last 600 in 39.6.

On the synthetic track, Showbastian Coe, who has not raced since early January, sprinted 600m in 42.4.