Manawatu Cup runner Identikit and Belardo Boy both worked in good style at Awapuni on Thursday morning.
Their stablemates Be Real, Benefactor and Hoorah Henry lost no kudos with excellent trials as well.
Fast work was held on the middle of the course proper, where Identikit had Be Real for a partner over 1000m in 1.4.7, the last 600 in 36.6.
Identikit won over 2400 metres at Trentham three starts ago, and her gallop on Thursday suggested she is a dangerous lightweight over Saturday's 2300 metres. Any give in the ground would be a huge bonus.
Leah Hemi, who won on the mare at Wanganui in June, is back aboard.
Belardo Boy (Manawatu Stakes) worked alone over 1000m in 1.6.3, the last 600 in 36.8, and last-start winner Lucullan (r75 1200m) posted 1.7.1 and 36.4.
Wingman and Vee Vee, rivals in the r75 mile, were paired over 1000m in 1.7.8, the last 600 in 36.4, and War Princess (Eulogy Stakes) went on her own in 1.7.9 and 36.7.
Benefactor (Manawatu Cup) and Hoorah Henry (r65 1400m) matched strides throughout 1000m in 1.8.8, the last 600 in 36.7. Hoorah Henry was an impressive maiden winner at Otaki last start and should go close again.
Vahray (Wakefield Stakes) and Pistachio went 800m together in 51.4, the last 600 in 36.5, and Sloshed from the Gray stable went alone in 52.6 and 37 seconds even.
Last-start Trentham winner Knickerless, in Saturday's r75 mile, worked with He's A Doozy over 1000m in 1.6.7, the last 600 in 37.1, and Toronto recorded 54.1 and 38.2.
Kodiac Bear, a little disappointing last start, and So We Go (by Embellish) gathered speed from the 1000m (1.11.1) to finish with 800m in 54 seconds even, the last 600 in 38.4. In similar work, The Scunner did 1.11.8 and 38.5.
Uncle Arch (r75 mile) ended quiet work with 600m in 39.4, and his stablemate Casino (r65 1400m), who will wear side winkers on Saturday, took 41.4.
Poppy's Girl (r75 1200m) was not after time over 800m in 56.4, the last 600 in 40.4, while Too Sweet (3yo 1400m) and Our Giulia were kept to 1000m in 1.13.6, the last 600 in 40.9. Only The Lonely (r65 1400m) did little more than three-quarter pace, ending with 44.5.
On the plough, Popinjay and Dapper Dan did a quiet round and a half before speeding up to run 800m in 55.6, the last 600 in 40.4.