Uncle Arch and last-start maiden winner Blue Jeanie earned respect for Trentham on Sunday after working in good style at Awapuni on Thursday morning.
Fast work was held on the synthetic track or on the plough (good).
Uncle Arch and Blue Jeanie, both trained by Bryce Newman, used the synthetic track and were paired over 1000m in 1.7.2, coming the final 800m in 50.1, the last 600 in 36.7.
Both four-year-olds are likely race rivals in the r65 2100m on Sunday, with Kavish Chowdhoory booked for Uncle Arch, and Kate Hercock on Blue Jeanie.
Uncle Arch has paid a dividend in all three starts this campaign, winning a maiden mile at Wanganui last month along the way. He is turning into a very handy type.
Blue Jeanie has not raced since winning a middle-distance maiden the same day, with an impressive home-straight dash along the rails from back in the field. She, too, has a lot more to offer.
Their stablemate Sugah Sweet worked alone over 1000m in 1.7.1, with the final 800m taking 50.3, the last 600 in 37 seconds even.
She was disappointing in the Wairarapa Breeders' Stakes last start, but did not get the rub of the green. She will make amends at short notice.
Unraced two-year-old Popinjay (by Rock 'n' Pop), an Alamosa gelding and a Per Incanto filly all went together over 800m in 52.8, the last 600 in 38.8.
Only The Lonely, in the 3yo 1400m at Trentham, gathered speed from the 1000m (1.14.6) to run home the final 800m in 54.8, the last 600 in 39.9. The filly could have gone a lot quicker.
She has not raced since winning a maiden 1400m at Otaki on Boxing Day, but it would not surprise to see her give some cheek on Sunday.
On the plough, Cry Baby and Tokyodome went a quiet round together before galloping 1000m in 1.13.1, clocking 54.5 for the final 800m, the last 600 in 40 seconds even.
A Time Test gelding and a Shocking gelding recorded similar times, with 1.13 even and 55.1, the last 600 in 40.3. They are with Lisa Latta.
Coney Island, resuming in the r65 1400m on Sunday with Tina Comignaghi in the saddle, ran 800m in 56.5, the last 600 in 41.9, while smart two-year-old filly Intention and last-start winner Ima Brazen One took 56.4 and 41.1.