Suliman, preparing for Saturday’s Wellington Hurdles, worked strongly on his own at this morning’s Hastings trackwork session.

Fast work was confined to the plough, which provided heavy footing after more persistent rainfall over the weekend.

Suliman had co-trainer Corrina McDougal aboard when running two 600-metre sprints and clocked 38.6s both times. The Redwood nine-year-old was a last start fourth in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles and won the Awapuni Hurdles on a very heavy track at Trentham three starts back. He is likely to strike similar track conditions on Saturday.

The Cossack, who is sure to start one of the favourites for Saturday’s Wellington Steeplechase, worked with stablemate Nedwin in two 600-metre workouts, the first one in an easy 41.3s and the second one in 39s. Both horses look in great order.

Donardo, another entered for the Wellington Steeples, had trainer Lucy de Lautour aboard when running two 600m workouts with Argyll. They clocked 38.6 for the first one and then Donardo finished clear of his partner at the end of the second one in 42.5.

Foxalot worked on his own over 1000m in 1:05.1, the last 600 in 37.5, which was good work on his own while Matinee, a likely starter at Otaki on Friday, worked in from the 1000m peg at three-quarter pace, quickening slightly over the last 600 in 40.6.

Supercell and Ravenna Rose, two other likely starters at Otaki, worked easily together over 1000m, he last 600 in 45.6 while Rhodesian ended his work with 600m in 42.3.

Metallo clocked 1:25.4 for 1200m, running the fist 600m in an easy 46.4 before quickening over the last 600 in 39 while his stablemate Ian’s Legacy was timed to come home the last 800m of his work in 54.6, the last 600 in 39.2.