Maiden mare Kalinya hinted at some improved form next start, judging by a satisfactory gallop at Awapuni on Thursday.

Fast work during a very quiet session was held on the plough or on the synthetic track.

Kalinya used the plough and had her trainer Ashley Meadows aboard over a quiet round before galloping 1000m in 1.7.9, with the final 800m taking 52.1, the last 600 in 38.7.

The four-year-old daughter of Staphanos had two races last winter, unplaced in both, before being put aside.

She resumed at Otaki two weeks ago, and had to be snagged back to the rear from a wide gate. From there, she was inconvenienced with a stop-start pace, and finished well back.

Wind Talker, who slipped and fell in the same event, and unraced stablemate Johnny Be Goode (by Puccini) were paired over 1000m in 1.11.4, coming the final 800m in 53.9, the last 600 in 38.8.

Saturday's Taranaki entrant The Scunner (r75 1400m), also with trainer Ashley Meadows in the saddle, did a quiet round before increasing the tempo to run 1000m in 1.9.2. His final 800m took 53.8, the last 600 in 39.2.

He won a Waipukurau trial in the spring then won two races in succession before finishing last at Otaki on Boxing Day. He was third in a Levin jump-out last month and should go well fresh up.

Main Street left 1000m behind in 1.7.7, completing the gallop with 800m in 54.3, the last 600 in 40.4.

After 13 months away from racing, he resumed at Waverley last week, but never got into the action. His only success in eight starts so far was on a heavy track at Awapuni (1400m).

Taranaki acceptor Pleasing (r65 1000m), who won a Waipukurau trial last week, was kept to a quiet 800m, the last 600 in 43.6. She could lead them a merry chase fresh up on Saturday.

On the synthetic track, Kawatiri, not seen on race day for 14 months, ran 800m in 55.1, the last 600 in 39.7.

An Alamosa gelding and a U S Navy Flag gelding, both trained by Mike Breslin, ran a quiet 600m in 44.6.