New Zealand Derby contender Tulsa King continued his preparation for Saturday’s 2400-metre Group 1 feature with a strong solo gallop at today’s Hastings trackwork session.

Fast work was confined to the plough, which provided good footing.

Tulsa King worked in from the 2000m peg, steadily increasing the speed as he went. He was timed over a round (approximately 1600m) in 1:48.4. He ran the last 1000m in 1:05.3 and came home strongly over the final 600 in 36.8.

The diminutive Staphanos gelding was hardly blowing at all after the workout and trainer Aaron Bidlake said the horse is in perfect order going into what will be his biggest test. Experienced jockey Jonathan Riddell has been booked to ride Tulsa King and he was aboard another Hastings-trained horse, Jimmy Choux, when he won the 2011 New Zealand Derby.

Last start winner La Dulcin’ee was another who worked well when running a solo 800m in 52.6, the last 600 in 37.8. She was a game winner over 1360m at Wanganui last start and will return to the same track on March 14, where she will probably be stepped up to 1600m.

Sunshine Ale, who goes to New Plymouth on Saturday for a Rating 65 race over 1400m, worked with Creation over 1000m in 1:06.6, the last 600 in 38.1. Sunshine Ale finished at the tail of the field at Waipukurau last start but was unsuited by the heavy track that day.

Wave finished her work off with an easy 600m in 40.8 while her stablemate Twix underwent similar work, recording 41 for the last 600m.

Exit Left had co-trainer Mick Brown aboard in his workout and was kept under a firm hold over 1000m in 1:12.5, the last 600 in 43.1 while Anaroa recorded 57.6 for an easy 80m, the last 600 in 42.8.

Say I Do, who races at Tauherenikau on Thursday, clocked 1:07.5 for 1000m, finishing the last 600m strongly in 36.9. She was a close fourth over 1600m at Otaki last start.

Basil The Greek, another entered for Tauherenikau on Thursday, worked easily over 1000m in 1:10.9, the last 600 in 41.8.