Fashion Shoot and Aris Aris looked the part ahead of Saturday’s Tauranga Classic when they galloped together at Matamata on Tuesday morning.

Working right-handed on the outside of the heavy course proper, Fashion Shoot (Pinn) and Aris Aris (Allen) set off at three-quarter-pace from the winning post to run 1200m. They completed the distance in 1:31.4, building momentum as they went and finishing off with a strong final 600m in 38.1.

Aris Aris returned to winning form two starts back and was a fair fifth on heavy ground at her most recent appearance, while Fashion Shoot is back from a brief Victorian campaign. Both Walker/Bridgman-trained mares have shown a liking for Tauranga in the past and are in good order for Saturday’s fillies and mares’ feature.

Cork (Nishizuka) prepared for the Tauranga Classic in company with Vino Valentino (S Weatherley) over a solidly-run 1200m in 1:24.7, the last 600m in 38.6. Cork is another with strong Tauranga form credentials, while Vino Valentino, who runs in Saturday’s Rating 65 1400, deserves a winning turn after an unlucky last-start second.

I Am Groot (Rastrick) and Ever Charm (Tynan) looked in good form ahead of their weekend engagements as they cut out 1200m in 1:24.7 and 38.2. Sassy Lass (Osborne), another member of the Wexford Stables’s Tauranga team knocking for a win, went at an even pace over 1200m in 1:24.3 and 42.8.

Key Largo (Mullineaux) and Khando (Nishizuka) worked away steadily to complete 1200m in 1:29.4, completing their work with 600m in 39.8. Tauranga entry Martell (J Collett) caught the eye over the last 600m of his work in 37.9.

Tauranga candidate Bella Voce (Pinn) and Luxuriant (Allen), who runs at Awapuni on Friday, were timed over their final 600m in 40.1, while Te Aroha Sunday entry Midnight Monarch (S Weatherley) was paired with Fairshare (Sanson) over the last 600m of their hitout in 40.6.