Ardee Boy put his hand up to be counted for a low-grade sprint on Sunday when he galloped at Awapuni on Thursday morning.
Fast work was held on the synthetic track, on the plough or on the middle of the new course proper.
Ardee Boy used the synthetic track and had his race rider Toni Davies aboard over 1000m in 1.8.1, coming the final 800m in 49.6, the last 600 in 36.2.
The Ardrossan gelding won a two-year-old dash over 1100 metres two years ago and his only victory since then was on the synthetic track last October (1200m).
He should make his presence felt in a small field on Sunday, as he steps up in distance, with Davies claiming 2kg down to 58kg.
Flying Celebration (r69 1700m) had co-trainer Shaun Fannin in the saddle over 1000m in 1.5.1, with the final 800m taking 50.7, the last 600 in 36.9.
She will be having her first start on the synthetic track, with various gear changes abound, including the addition of blinkers.
Gum Basher, in the $100,000 Polytrack Championship (1400m) on Sunday, went with stablemate Sweet As Tavi (mdn 1400m) over 1000m in 1.9.2 and finished with 800m in 51.5, the last 600 in 38.2.
Gum Basher will have Awapuni apprentice Jim Chung aboard for the first time, claiming 2kg down to just 52kg. The mare's synthetic record includes two wins, two seconds and two thirds from 12 starts so far.
Sweet As Tavi was not far away in fifth place when resuming on the synthetic early in July and is worth respect in the last race on Sunday, with the blinkers going on. Toni Davies claims 2kg.
Foxton visitors Centrefold (by Time Test) and Ma Rainey (by Fabulous), both trained by David Jensen, were paired over 800m in 55,3, the last 600 in 40.9. Centrefold races on Sunday (r69 1000m).
Kawatiri (r70 2140m) was not chasing the clock over 800m in 56.2, the last 600 in 41.1, but remains an each-way chance, with Brazilian jockey Bruno Querioz to do the riding.
On the plough, Dark Deluxe (by Tivaci) and Heartofaces (by Ace High) worked away from the 800m to finish with 600 in 42.7.
Dark Deluxe has not raced since an unplaced debut in April, while Heartofaces is unraced.
Manzor Blue, not seen since late February, ended her 800m with 600 in 43.8.
On the course proper, one of the season's better two-year-olds Too Sweet and a Hello Youmzain filly ran 800m in 53.6, the last 600 in 38.8.
Too Sweet will begin her three-year-old term in the Gold Trail Stakes for fillies at Ellerslie on September 6. She was a Group 2 winner of the Eclipse Stakes there on New Year's Day.
Meanwhile, Bee Enchanted and Sacred Pearl did nice, even work over 1000m in 1.9.5 and completed the final 800m in 54.7, the last 600 in 39.1.
Bee Enchanted will travel south in the coming days to run in the $100,000 Polytrack Championship (1200m) at Riccarton next Wednesday, while Sacred Pearl is making good progress as she builds for a spring campaign.