Derryn four-year-old John Doe has taken the next step forward, judging by a very smart gallop at Awapuni on Thursday morning.

Fast work was held on the plough (good) or on the synthetic track.

John Doe used the plough and had jumps jockey Portia Mathews in the saddle over 1000m in 1.4.3, coming the final 800m in 48.9, the last 600 in 35.3.

The gelding won a Foxton trial in the spring and was put aside for the summer. He returned to win another Foxton trial last month then went out favourite on debut at Waverley two weeks later.

He did not do punters any favours, but was far from disgraced finishing a satisfactory fourth, and is a better horse with the race under his belt.

His stablemates Shockiff and Wind Talker worked in good style this morning as well, covering 1000m together in 1.5.5, with the final 800m taking 49.9, the last 600 in 36.4.

Wind Talker slipped and fell on debut at Otaki three weeks ago, but was not injured, apart from a laceration on the left nostril.

Chelsea Rose worked alone over 1000m in 1.4.6 and finished with 800m in 51.6, the last 600 in 38.7. She has been improving steadily, and it would pay to forget her last start at Trentham, where nothing went right from go to whoa.

Her stablemates Thrilling and Connello were paired over an even 1000m in 1.8.1, with the 800m sectional taking 53.6, the last 600 in 39.7.

These two fillies were rivals in the Lowland Stakes last start, with Thrilling running on strongly from well off the pace to finish a very satisfactory fourth. They are likely to clash again the NZ Oaks on Saturday week.

Saturday's Wanganui entrant Qacentina (mdn 1340m) was not chasing the clock over 1000m in 1.10.4, the last 600 in 40.3, while Rev It Up Rusty (r65 2040m) did similar work with 1.9.4 and 41.1.

Unraced two-year-olds Sans Peur (by Hello Youmzain) and Belzoni (by Belardo) sprinted 600m in 42.5. Sans Peur won a Levin jump-out last week, while Belzoni finished third, both over 850 metres.

On the synthetic track, Bryce Newman-trained pair Uncle Arch and Blue Jeanie matched strides over a quiet 800m in 55.9, the last 600 in 40.5.

They are likely rivals in the r65 2040m at Wanganui and, despite a blot in the copybook by both horses in the same race at Trentham last start, either of them could set the record straight on Saturday.

Unraced two-year-old gelding Popinjay (by Rock 'n' Pop) and a U S Navy Flag gelding, both trained by Mike Breslin, ran 800m in 56.7, the last 600 in 41 seconds even.

An unraced Alamosa-Cindz gelding and an unraced Alamosa-Dandeedee gelding, two more from the Breslin barn, recorded 56.2 and 41.3.