A number of horses with Ellerslie engagements galloped on Wednesday morning on the slow course proper. Working left-handed, Auckland Cup favourite Asterix (Rastrick) strode over ground and was timed from the 1200m in 1:18.8, finishing off well with 600m in 38.5.  

Auckland Cup rivals Prise de Fer (Bosson) and Fierce Flight (McNab) worked twice right-handed on the course proper, cutting out their first 1200m in 1:22.4 and 39.3, and after a suitable recovery period, repeated with 1200m in 1:20.4 and 38.7.

Stablemate Captured By Love (Bosson) was paired with Tokyo Tycoon (Melvin), completing 1000m right-handed with a final 600m in 37.5. The unbeaten filly is in great heart for the Sistema Stakes, while a freshened Tokyo Tycoon will run in next week’s Wellington Guineas.