Middle-grade mare Macy and progressive 3yr-old William James matched motors down the straight in a strong open 1000m heat.
Trainer Terry Kennedy said he was yet to finalise where the winner, Macy, would start her spring campaign.
The way she strode out in her return as a 6yr-old suggests she will be competitive wherever he decides to take her.
Runner-up William James went to the line untested by rider Shankar Muniandy in a nice hit-out.
The Ocean Park 3yr-old is yet to return to the races after his impressive debut win in 2yr-old company at Riccarton in June.
The horse was likely to return to the same track for his second start in a 3yr-old event over 1000m next month, trainer Joanne Hillis said.
Bakela ran third in yesterday's heat ahead of open-grade mare Princess Brook.
Princess Brook was having her first public outing since undergoing surgery on a pedal bone injury in March.
The 7yr-old showed the surgery was a success and she had returned to work in fine order when she went to the line under a good hold by rider Debbie Kennedy.
Terry Kennedy also produced Ring a Rosie to win at yesterday's jumpouts.
The horse was likely to race at the first Wingatui meeting of the new season on September 13, he said.
Our Teddy Boy showed he was ready for his 4yr-old season with an easy 1200m heat win.
The horse had an up-and-down season last term, but showed talent in his two wins and four placings.
Trainer Graeme Mee rode Four Keepers, who he trains, to win yesterday's opening heat over 1000m.
The 4yr-old, who is yet to start at the races, had two trials for Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh last year before joining Mee's stable.
Weather, fine; track, slow.
Heat 1, maiden 1000m: Four Keepers G Mee 1, McLaughlin 2, The Selection 3. Trainer G Mee, time 55.0sec, 4 started.
Heat 2, open 1000m: Macy C Barnes 1, William James 2, Bakela 3. Trainer T Kennedy, time 55.0sec, 4 started.
Heat 3, 1200m maiden: Ring a Rosie C Barnes 1, Morena Roc 2, Burning Bright 3. Trainer T Kennedy, time 1.08.8, 3 started.
Heat 4, open 1200m: Our Teddy Boy Z Bholah 1, Dream Rich 2, Absolute Gold 3. Trainer S Tyler, time 1.05.7, 3 started.
