Fast work was held wide out on the course proper or on the plough, and sometimes were very quick.
McKhan used the course proper and had unraced stablemate Donatello (by Reliable Man) for a partner over a very smart 1000m in 1.3.1, the last 600 in 34 seconds even.
Freshened up from a winter/spring campaign, McKhan won a trial at Foxton and has put two thirds on the board since his return to racing. He looks ready to go one better.
Donatello lost no kudos in this gallop with McKhan and has been a work in progress with plenty of solid trials and jump-outs form. He could debut at Waverley next Wednesday.
Sloshed, from the Gray stable was another to take the eye this morning, when covering 800m in 50 seconds even, the last 600 in 34.7.
He was a shade disappointing at Wanganui last start, but did over-race in the early and middle stages of the contest. He can make amends.
Saturday's Taranaki entrant Shockiff (r65 2000m) had the pedal down throughout his 1000m in 1.1.1, the last 600 in 35.5, and stablemate Semper Magico, in solid form as a 10-year-old, was just as quick with 1.1.5, the last 600 in 35.4. He tackles the Taranaki Cup.
Bryce Newman-trained stablemates Altezza (r65 2000m) and Street Appeal were locked together over 1000m in 1.3.2, the last 600 in 35.7, while Kawakawa and So We Go, both with the Gray partnership, did 800m in 51.8 and 35.9.
Cosentino (open 1400m) was timed 1000m in 1.6 even, the last 600 in 36.4, while Kosta (r75 1200m) and French Doll (r75 mile), both from the Breslin barn, went together in 1.6.5 and 36.1.
Shameless Star and City Gold Dragon were on terms throughout 1000m in 1.8.5, the last 600 in 36.9.
Their stablemates War Princess, in Saturday’s Karaka Million 3YO, and Charmstruck worked right-handed and ended 1000m with 800m in 49.5, the last 600 in 37.1.
Tears Of Victory and Hello My Dear left 800m behind in 53.9, the last 600 in 37.3, while Lisa Latta-trained two-year-olds Midnight Dart, in the Karaka Million 2YO, and Pinafore, working right-handed, clocked 53.1 and 39.8. Pinafore was entered for Taranaki (mdn 2yo).
Sweetest Thing, another in the Karaka Million 2YO, and Wingman were two more to work right-handed and were kept to 800m in 53.8, the last 600 in 40.4.
On the plough, Uncle Arch, who has won three of his last four, and Blue Jeanie ran 800m in 51.3, the last 600 in 37.4, and stablemate Belle Coeur (by Vadamos) sprinted 600m in 40.2. She is an unraced three-year-old filly with good trial form.