Stablemates Master Marko (NZ) (Contributer) and Prince Alby (NZ) (Sacred Falls) will end their northern tours of duty at Trentham before their focus switches to feature events closer to home.
The Kelvin Tyler-trained duo will return to the South Island after Saturday’s meeting with major targets to chase during New Zealand Cup week at Riccarton.
Master Marko will drop back in trip in the Courtesy Ford Redcraze Bowl (1400m) following his bold effort to finish fifth in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m).
“I was really rapt and it did suit him with the style of racing at Te Rapa, which favoured on-pace runners and the back ones just couldn’t make ground,” Tyler said.
“He goes forward and puts himself in the race, so I was thrilled with him.”
Master Marko was given an easy time following the Livamol and the drop back in distance at Trentham will be a snug fit for the son of Contributer.
“He had a quiet week after the Livamol and his next main target will be the TAB Classic (Gr.3, 1600m) at Riccarton, in my eyes his best distance is probably a mile,” Tyler said.
“It will be a wet track on Saturday, it will be tough going so 1400m on that sort of going should be ideal.
“He’s a tough horse and a really good eater who gets over his races well.”
While the relocation of the Livamol to Te Rapa suited Master Marko, it didn’t favour Prince Alby who finished at the tail of the field and will bid to turn his form around in the Mode Technology Feilding Cup (2100m).
“Both him and Lightning Jack went back and they just couldn’t make ground, it was a frontrunners’ track,” Tyler said.
Prince Alby had previously finished out of the money in an open handicap at Matamata.
“I tried to keep him a bit fresh for those races, but when they got transferred from Hastings to Matamata and Te Rapa it just changed the dynamic and I think he’ll be a different horse on Saturday,” Tyler said.
Safely through the weekend, Prince Alby will head to the Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) at Riccarton.
Tyler will be represented by Radiant Reach and Zambezi Flyer at Friday’s Southland meeting at Ascot Park with the former his best chance of success.
The daughter of Vadamos will resume in the Southport Handicap (1400m) and her previous success at Gore came off a spell.
“It’s been quite hard to get horses ready in the deep south, we’ve had no jump-outs since May,” Tyler said.
“It’s been pretty tough going but we’re on the other side of it now and Radiant Reach will be my best.
“She’s a bit older now and very capable and won fresh-up last season. She’s been working well and I’d be disappointed if she wasn’t in for a good year.”
