Copper Belt Lodge visitors Exaggeration and Our Akashinga stole the show at Awapuni on Tuesday morning.
Fast work was held on the synthetic track or on the plough.
Exaggeration and Our Akashinga, both three-year-olds, used the synthetic track and reeled off 1000m in 1.3.9, with the final 800m taking 49 seconds even, the last 600 in 36.8.
Exaggeration (by Embellish) has had one start for one win, which came on the synthetic track four and a half weeks ago. That victory followed a success at the Foxton trials.
Our Akashinga (by Exceedance) won a trial at Waipukurau then finished third on debut at Hawera. His last start is best forgotten after suffering interference in the home straight. Their unraced three-year-old stablemate Ready Response (by Better Than Ready) covered 800m in 50.1, the last 600 in 37.5, while Andjustlikethat, trained by Lydia Pickford, took 50.9 and 37.8.
Tears Of Victory was timed 800m in 52.5, the last 600 in 37.9, followed by unraced geldings Daiwa Explorer (by Bivouac) and Toronto (by Vancouver) in 51.1 and 38. Imani sprinted 600m in 38.5. All four are from Copper Belt Lodge, trained by Kevin & Stephen Gray.
Sotirio worked alone over 1000m in 1.9.6 and finished with 800m in 53.2, the last 600 in 39.1.
His stablemate My Alibi ran 800m in 55.7, the last 600 in 39.2, while Farravallo and Wonderboy were kept to 55.7 and 40.2.
On the plough, Textbook drew plenty of attention with 1000m in 1.3.8, coming the final 800m in 50.5, the last 600 in 37.9. His stablemate Lady Performer recorded 1.5.8 and 50.8, the last 600 in 37.6.
Keepz Occuring’s time was also noteworthy, running 1000m in 1.6.6, the last 600 in 38.3, while Opawa Scarlett and Flying Celebration went together in 1.8.6 and 38.4. Smokin Mo and Faustian Bargain clocked 1.9.5 and 38.8.
Brutiful Lass and a Sweynesse maiden left 800m behind in 52.8, the last 600 in 38.1, and their stablemate Lovehelen clocked 54.1 and 37.9.
Last-start winner Benefactor was kept to 1000m in 1.9.1, the last 600 in 39.3, and Rithim went 800m in 56.1 and 40.8.
Talented filly Intention and stablemate Rushin Home did an easy 1000m, the last 600 in 42.6. They are coming to hand well.
Unraced two-year-old gelding Moali (by Magna Grecia) and unraced three-year-old filly Emoji (by Ocean Park) sprinted 600m in 41.7. They are with Lydia Pickford.