Manzor Blue and Port Chalmer ready to fire.
Lisa Latta-trained stablemates Manzor Blue and Port Chalmer took the time honours at Awapuni on Thursday morning.
Fast work was held on the middle of the course proper, with one gallop recorded on the plough and one on the synthetic track. The majority timed were acceptors at either Wellington on Saturday or Whanganui on Monday.
Manzor Blue, in at Wellington (r75 2200m), and Whanganui entrant Port Chalmer (mdn mile) used the course proper and went together over 1000m in 1.6.3, the last 600 in 35.9. Both horses, who don the Go Racing colours, are knocking on the door.
Their stablemates Lantern Way (r65 mile) and Belle's Charm (mdn mile), two more heading to Whanganui, almost recorded the same times, with 1000m in 1.6.3, the last 600 in 36 seconds even.
Assist (by Contributer) and Chumbo (by Per Incanto), unraced three-year-olds in the Didham barn, ran 800m in 50.9, the last 600 in 36.3.
Their stablemates Pistachio and City Gold Dragon followed soon after with 52.1 and 37.2. Pistachio is an acceptor for Whanganui (mdn 1340m).
Trentham Stakes runner He's A Doozy worked over 1200m, being timed from the 1000m in 1.6.4, the last 600 in 37.1. He is in good form.
Fellow Wellington entrants Hoorah Henry (MAAT 1400m) and Connello (r75 1400) matched strides over 1000m in 1.8.4, the last 600 in 37.3.
Thorndon Mile lightweight prospect Omega Boy had Whanganui acceptor Felucca (r65 1340m) for a partner over 1000m in 1.9.4, with the final 800m taking 52.9, the last 600 in 37.9.
Whanganui runners Bantry (mdn 3yo 1400m) and The Explosive (mdn mile) covered 1000m in 1.8.9, the last 600 in 38 seconds even. Both three-year-old fillies finished second at their previous start.
Thorndon Mile prospect The Scunner and stablemate Derrick (MAAT 1400m) were kept to 1000m in 1.13.7, increasing the pace to finish with 800m in 55.5, the last 600 in 38.9. They were the headline act in trackwork on Tuesday.
Jacobite Rising and Merroca, acceptors in the maiden mile at Whanganui, went 1000m together in 1.10.1, the last 600 in 38.4, and My Alibi, in at Wellington (r75 2200m), ran 800m in 54.5, the last 600 in 38.7.
The latter's race rival Thrilling was kept to 1000m in 1.13.4, the last 600 in 39.9, and stablemate Be Real, a double acceptor, clocked 54.9 for 800m, the last 600 in 39.8.
Kawatiri (r65 2100m) left 800m behind in 59.9, the last 600 in 42.7, and she is also an acceptor for Whanganui (r65 mile).
On the plough, Trentham Stakes acceptors Crouch and Donnybrook did a quiet round and a half before galloping 800m in 55.1, the last 600 in 38.9. Donnybrook will wear blinkers if he regains the field.
On the synthetic track, unraced two-year-old gelding Magna Carta (by Sword Of State) and a Tarzino gelding, two more from the Breslin barn, ran 600m in an easy 44.1. Magna Carta is a half-brother to Taupo Cup winner What You Wish For.