Three-year-olds at different ends of the performance scale produced eye-catching efforts at Ellerslie yesterday.
The lightly-tried Time To Celebrate downed a handy age group line-up in the John Deere Agrowquip 1500, while the group one winner Sacred Elixir delighted trainer Tony Pike with his exhibition gallop.
"That was fantastic, he quickened up really well and was very professional," Pike said.
Sacred Elixir will open his group one Vodafone NZ Derby campaign in the Listed NZB Insurance Karaka 3YO Mile at Ellerslie on January 29.
Meanwhile, the Jenna Mahoney-trained Time To Celebrate lowered the colours of the favourite Heroic Valour under a well-judged ride by Jason Waddell.