Lady Performer should be back in the dividends on Sunday if her gallop at Awapuni on Thursday morning was any guide.

With the new course proper closed for renovations, the majority of fast work was on the plough (good).

Lady Performer, trained by Lydia Pickford, and stablemate Textbook used the plough and ran 1000m in 1.5.9, coming the final 800m in 51.2, the last 600 in 37.5. They were the only horses to break 38 seconds for the last sectional.

Lady Performer will be having her third run back from a spell at Wanganui (r65 f&m 1360m), where she was successful last winter.

The Sacred Falls mare has won two races only, but boasts 23 placings back to fifth. She will appreciate any give in the ground on Sunday.

Top galloper He's A Doozy had Jonathan Riddell aboard over 1000m in 1.9.2, increasing the tempo as he went to finish with 800m in 53 seconds even, the last 600 in 38.9.

Wellington prospect The Scunner had trainer Ashley Meadows in the saddle over a quiet round before galloping 1000m in 1.9.4, with the final 800m taking 53.4, the last 600 in 38.2.

Jazlene and Street Appeal, maidens from the Bryce Newman barn, were paired over 1000m in 1.10.1, gathering speed throughout to complete the final 800m in 53.3, the last 600 in 38.3.

They race at Wanganui on Sunday, with Jazlene the subject of a gear change. Blinkers will replace side winkers.

Unraced two-year-old Bit By Bit (by Turn Me Loose) and a Per Incanto mare ran 800m together in 52 seconds even, the last 600 in 38.1. They are with Lydia Pickford.

Opawa Scarlett and Jesko schooled over hurdles before switching to the plough to run 800m in 52.5, the last 600 in 38 seconds even.

Opawa Scarlett races at Trentham on Saturday (r65 1400m), with side winkers replacing blinkers, while Jesko makes his steeplechase debut at Wanganui on Sunday.

Chelsea Rose, a big chance at Wanganui (mdn 2060m), worked alone over 1000m in 1.9.3, coming the final 800m in 53.7, the last 600 in 39.3.

Race rival Cry Baby and Tokyodome (mdn 1360m) were paired over a quiet round before galloping 800m in 55.4, the last 600 in 39.4 and, in similar work, Trentham acceptor Super Gold (r65 1400m) ended with 39.3.

Lantern Way, in the r75 1200m on Saturday, left 1000m behind in a casual 1.10.8, the last 600 in 40.8, and stablemate Qacentina, in at Wanganui (mdn 1360m), took 1.11.1 and 40.4. Wellington runner Gum Basher (r65 1400m) took 1.13.1 and 40.7.

Knickerless, chasing back-to-back wins on Saturday (r65 2200m) slipped over 800m in 54.8, the last 600 in 40.3, and Craftsman ended with 40.8.

Kosta and an Alamosa gelding covered 800m in a quiet 56.4, the last 600 in 41.3, and their stablemate Showbastian Coe ended with 41.1. Wellington runner Benefactor (r75 mile) posted 42.5, and race rival French Doll clocked 44.9.

On the synthetic track, smart three-year-old Farravallo went a bold 800m in 50.2, the last 600 in 36.3, and he has not raced since the spring.

Sotirio, who resumes at Trentham on Saturday (r75 1200m), ran 600m in 40.2, and his stablemate Barzetti (r65 1400m), also not seen since the spring, clocked 43.6.