The Tui Toiler acquitted himself well in strong company last time out and he looks well-placed on Sunday to take advantage of a step back in class.
The son of Highly Recommended will take aim at the Wash Rite & Hyde Landscaping Wairio Cup (2200m) and with regular rider Gosen Jogoo again booked for the ride, they look a strong combination.
The Tui Toiler took on weight-for-age company most recently and finished less than three and a-half lengths off the frontrunner Green Luck in the Gr.3 Canterbury Gold Cup (2000m) at Riccarton.
“He’s a big, tough horse and he probably should have led, but me being a bit conservative decided not to and Kylie Williams controlled the whole race,” trainer Stephen Blair-Edie said.
“He wasn’t far away and if he had led he may have got third and some black type, we’re all learning all the time, and he’s pretty good at the moment.”
The Tui Toiler’s previous form was also rock solid with a runner-up finish at Gore and then ran third in the Riverton Cup (2147m) after making the pace and backed up on the second day of the meeting to finish second.
Blair-Edie also likes the chances of the Press Statement four-year-old Maggie Ruth in the Homestead Villa Motel & Majestic Float Handicap (2200m).
She will be making her third appearance from her new quarters and will be stepping up to a middle distance after finishing in behind the major players in her previous two runs.
“She’s not a bad mare and third-up should be ready to go,” he said.
To be ridden by Brett Murray, Maggie Ruth has already proved her staying ability with her maiden victory posted over 2200 metres at Woodville for former trainer Shaun Phelan.
Blair-Edie will have a number of representatives at Wairio and also at Riverton on Friday where he expects a good showing from Anafternoondelight when she runs in the Barnes Oysters/Riverside Rentals Handicap (1200m).
“She’s probably my best chance, she has been racing well and hasn’t had very good draws,” he said.
“She’s been caught out in the car park more than once.”
Another daughter of Highly Recommended to be partnered by Jogoo, she ran third at Riverton at the end of last month and was then caught four wide without cover when unplaced from an outside barrier at Ascot Park.
