Victortheinflictor suggested he can bounce back to winning form on Sunday after a very satisfactory gallop at Awapuni on Thursday morning.
Fast work during a very quiet gallop session was on the plough or on the synthetic track.
Victortheinflictor used the plough and had stablemate Danjuro for a partner over 1000m in 1.3.7, coming the final 800m in 48.4, the last 600 in 36.1.
The Vespa gelding recorded a win and a second on the synthetic track last month then finished seventh in the $100,000 Polytrack Championship (2000m) at Cambridge two weeks ago.
He was handicapped with 60kg this Sunday, so stable apprentice Toni Davies (a2) takes over from Kavish Chowdhoory.
Danjuro is about to start a new campaign and, prior to this morning's strong gallop, he won a trial (1200m) on the new course proper at Awapuni last week.
Jack Morrison, in the open 1700m this Sunday, ran a well-held 1000m in 1.11.1, with the final 800m taking 55.1, the last 600 in 39.6.
He finished fifth in the Polytrack Championship at Cambridge last start carrying 58kg and, with the step up to open class on Sunday, comes in with 54kg. Regular rider Amber Riddell will claim 2kg down to 52kg.
The Darci Brahma gelding has had eight starts on the Awapuni synthetic for six wins, a fourth and a fifth.
The only other horse to gallop on the plough this morning was Rogue Romance, who has not raced since the end of May. She did little more than three-quarter pace over 1000m, the last 600 in 44.5.
On the synthetic track, smart filly War Princess (by U S Navy Flag) went alone over 1000m in 1.5.1 and finished with 800m in 49.8, the last 600 in 37.2. She won a trial on the new grass at Awapuni last week.
Sunday's acceptors Our Giulia (mdn 1200m) and Wonderboy (mdn 1700m) went together over 1000m in 1.11.1 and completed the final 800m in 55.6, the last 600 in 41.3, which was all their trainer Roydon Bergerson wanted from them.
Both horses are big improvers, especially Wonderboy, who was narrowly beaten on the synthetic last start (1400m). He steps up to 1700 metres on Sunday.
Kawatiri (r75 2140m) was kept to 800m in 57.4, the last 600 in 42.2, and she has recorded two wins and two seconds from 10 starts on the synthetic track.
Her stablemates Zackery and Furiosa, galloping together, did similar work, with 800m in 57.6, the last 600 in 42.1.
Zackery has not raced since April, while Furiosa (by Ardrossan) finished third on debut last December, but has not started since.