Tulsa King, preparing for Sunday’s $40,000 Wairoa Cup at Waipukurau, underwent a good strong gallop in company at this morning’s Hastings trackwork session.

Fast work was confined to the plough.

Tulsa King was under a hold and clearly travelling better than Bar Room at the end of a round on the plough. He was timed over the last 1200m in 1:19.7, running home the last 600 in 40.

The Staphanos gelding has not raced since finishing second in the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie a month ago but trainer Aaron Bidlake has kept the horse up to the mark in training and gave him a run in a 1200m trial at Foxton last week, where he finished a good third.

“I had to give him a trial because he was doing so well and I was really happy with the way he went,” Bidlake said.

Tulsa King will be using the Wairoa Cup as a final lead up to the Group 1 $1.2million Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) at Ellerslie on March 7.

Trust Alone, a stablemate of Tulsa King and another entered for Waipukurau on Sunday, worked on his own over 1000m in 1:06.8, the last 600 in 38.6. He was formerly trained in the north and has recorded a win and four minor placings from 20 starts.

Buzzy Bee, who will make his race debut in a maiden 1600m race at Waipukurau, stretched out well over 1000m in 1:09.9, the last 600 in 40.7. He is a big three-year-old by Turn Me Loose who has been placed in two 1400m barrier trials in the past month.

Fancy Like Lass was not hurried when running a solo 800m in 53.5, the last 600 in 39 while stablemate Exit Left worked over 1000m in 1:08.2, the last 600 in 39.5. Both horses look to be in good order again.

Sunshine Ale, entered for the Rating 75 race over 1200m at Waipukurau on Sunday, worked on her own over 1000m in 1:11.1, the last 600 in 38.7 while stablemate Bedtime Story worked in at three-quarter pace from the 800m peg, quickening slightly over the last 600 in 41.8.

Touch Of Paradise, a jumper who looks to be coming up well for trainer Aaron Bidlake, did well to cut out 1000m on his own in 1:8.9, the last 600 in 38.8 while Waipukurau entrant Father Ted clocked 1:09.3 for 1000m, the last 600 in 38.7.

Vincero worked over 1000m on his own over 1000m and was timed to run home the last 800 in 52.8 and final 600 in 39.2 while Katsu clocked 53.6 for 800m, the last 600 in 38.9.

Creation was not hurried when running 800m in 57.6, the last 600 in 40.6 while Harlem County recorded 1:09.3 for an easy 1000m, the last 600 in 41.3.

Basil The Greek was restricted to just three-quarter pace over 1000m, the last 600 in 42.7.