Talented three-year-old Wingman ran a very satisfactory final trial at Awapuni this morning.

Fast work was held on the synthetic track or on the plough as horses prepared for either Trentham on Saturday or Tauherenikau on Sunday.

Wingman used the synthetic track and had his stablemate Town Cryer for a partner over 1000m in 1.7.1, the last 600 in 37 seconds seven.

The gelding has had five starts so far, four of them at Trentham, including a win over 1400 metres in early December.

He has not been blessed with a very good draw in a big field for the Group 2 Wellington Guineas, but will have side winkers on for the first time, which could end up a significant gear change.

Craig Grylls, who knows the horse well and who has been successful on him once previously, takes the mount on Saturday.

There were just a handful of other gallops on the synthetic track, including unraced two-year-old Popinjay (by Rock 'n' Pop) and a U S Navy flag gelding who ended 800m with 600 in 39.1. Their stablemate Showbastian Coe, in similar work, clocked 39.8.

A Circus Maximus two-year-old and a Vespa two-year-old, both trained by Peter Didham, did 800m in 56.1, the last 600 in 40 seconds even.

Two unraced Alamosa geldings from the Breslin barn ran 800m in 54.9, the last 600 in 41.3, and stablemate Papa Surf ended with 45.1.

On the plough, Tauherenikau acceptor Wind Talker looked ready for Sunday's assignment when he skipped over 800m in 50.1, the last 600 in 36.2.

Bold Belle, back in work with Bryce Newman, had her trainer in the saddle over 800m in 52.5, the last 600 in 36.7. The mare has not raced since early January.

Top jumper Berry The Cash, resuming in Sunday's Masterton Cup (2050m), had Jack Morrison alongside early, but drew away in the home straight to record 1.4.1 for 1000m, with the final 800m taking 51 seconds even, the last 600 in 38.1.

Lemaitre and stablemate Niemi, who go separate ways this weekend, were timed 1000m in 1.5.1, coming the final 800m in 51.3, the last 600 in 38.2.

Niemi (by Microphone) is a two-year-old filly on debut this Sunday after a nice trial win at Waipukurau just over three weeks ago.

Lisa Latta-trained maidens Platinum Tyche and Platinumrevolution, two more acceptors for Tauherenikau, were paired over 1000m in 1.7.5, with the final 800m taking 53.1, the last 600 in 38.9.

They are likely to clash in the distance maiden on Sunday, with both horses wearing blinkers for the first time.

Unraced three-year-old filly Platinum Goddess (by Alpine Eagle) and unraced two-year-old filly Versatile (by Almanzor), two more from the Latta barn, ran 800m in 58.2, the last 600 in 39.4.

Unraced three-year-old fillies Street Appeal (by Ardrossan) and Casino (by Savabeel), both trained by Bryce Newman, covered 1000m in 1.13.9, the last 600 in 41.1.

Wellington acceptors Pepeha and Crouch went together over 800m in 57.1, the last 600 in 39.9, while Belardo Boy went alone in 58.1 and 42 seconds even.

Lucullan and Victortheinflictor, both racing on Sunday, were kept to 1000m in 1.15.4, the last 600 in 44.1, and a Redwood gelding with owner-trainer Stephen ended with 44.1 as well.

Lightning Handicap entrant Platinum Attack was restricted to three-quarter pace on the plough, and race rival Express Yourself did light work on the sand.

Platinum Attack drew one on Saturday, but Express Yourself, who will race without blinkers, came up with 14 in a field of 18. She will be ridden by Australian jockey Ryan Hurdle, whose mother Nikki trains the mare.