Maidens stole the show during a busy gallop session at Awapuni on Tuesday morning, with a majority of horses using the plough, where some good times were recorded.
Two unraced geldings, Freedom Fighter and Edison, were particularly noteworthy, both trained by Mark Oulaghan.
Freedom Fighter (by Turn Me Loose), second at the Foxton trials last week, did 1000m in 1.2.1, the last 600 in 35.2, while Edison (by Staphanos) clocked 1.3.4 and 35.9. They were the only two to break 36 seconds for the last 600m.
Fellow maiden Goddess, trained by Lucy Tanner, matched them with 1000m in 60.4, the last 600 in 36.2, and is ready to pounce fresh up.
Impressive last-start Riccarton winner The Scunner had stablemate Waitui Rose for a partner over 1000m in 1.1.2, the last 600 in 36.4.
Pinkerton, last seen in mid-September, reeled off 1000m in 1.2.6, the last 600 in 36.1, and Whatsinyourwallet posted 1.2.7 and 36 seconds even.
Inmyshadow, who has come ahead in leaps and bounds, was timed 1000m in 1.5.1, the last 600 in 36.5, while Lovehelen and Verardino went together in 1.5.4 and 36.6.
Graham's Pride, a costly failure last start, and unraced three-year-old Tomintoul (by Tivaci) gathered speed from the 1000m to finish with 600 in 36.2.
Hurry Home (by Sooboog), unplaced on debut three weeks ago, covered 1000m in 1.7.2, the last 600 in 37.9.
Platinum Sixty Six and Lantern Way matched strides over 1000m in 1.6.7, the last 600 in 38.5, and Redana went alone over 800m in 52.1 and 38.1.
Kana and unraced two-year-old filly Shameless Star (by Shamexpress) ran 1000m in 1.10.2, increasing the tempo to finish with 600 in 38.1.
Their stablemates Omega Boy and unraced two-year-old filly War Princess (by U S Navy Flag) recorded 1.10.4 and 38.2.
Last-start winner Benefactor had stablemate Unscripted alongside over 1000m in 1.6.8, the last 600 in 39.4, and Donnybrook ended with 600m in 39.6.
Manifique, coming to hand well, did a quiet round before speeding up to complete 1000m in 1.9.3, the last 600 in 39.7.
Top mare Express Yourself, was let off with 1000m in 1.16.9, the last 600 in 40 seconds even, but is ready to resume any tick of the clock.
Linara, unplaced when resuming at Tauherenikau two weeks ago, was kept to 800m in 55.8, the last 600 in 40.5, while Sweet As Tavi and Wal went together in 56.2 and 40.9.
Unraced two-year-old filly Intention (by Bivouac) and unraced four-year-old Broonzy (by Toronado) sprinted 600m in 41.9, while Lynx and a Redwood filly took 42.8.
On the synthetic track, maiden mare Altezza, ridden by her trainer Bryce Newman, really caught the eye with 1000m in 1.4.8, the last 600 in 37 seconds even.
Her stablemates Uncle Arch and last-start two-year-old winner Abbakiss (by Microphone) were sent 800m in 52.4, the last 600 in 37.9.
Zackery was not seeking time over 800m in 58.4, the last 600 in 42.5, and neither was top mare Town Cryer with 57.1 and 42.8. Vavoom sprinted 600m in 43.5.
Agent Black Hand and unraced four-year-old Thundering (by Iffraaj), both trained by Roydon Bergerson, did a quiet 800m, the last 600 in 44.8.