Makarewa trainer Tony Barron moved north to Canterbury earlier this month to team up with brother Ken at his West Melton base.
Tony Barron brought 20 horses north from Makarewa, although seven of those are yearlings being prepared for next year’s sales, so there is no shortage of horse flesh at the stables.
"It’s a big step up," Tony Barron said.
"We were used to working 15 or 16 [in Southland] but I’ve been down that road [of big teams] before with Mark Purdon, and we’ve got a great bunch of staff here.
"So we’re pretty lucky really."
The big numbers are backed up by 10 full-time or part-time workers, including leading driver Blair Orange and Katie Cox.
Orange will take the reins on two of the Barrons’ runners tomorrow, including their top chance Floating On Eyre in race 2, a c0 fillies and mares mobile pace.
"Blair has been working her and is very happy with her work," Barron said.
"She’s got a good draw and it’s not an overly strong field so she’s probably a pretty good win chance, I would think."
Barrier one should be a help over 2000m as long as she shows enough out of the gate.
"I checked with Blair this morning and he said she’s got gate speed. But there are a couple outside her that get out pretty good. But you’d like to think she’s either in front or in the trail."
Floating On Eyre is on debut, as is Mr Sharkey in race 3.
The 3yr-old has won two of his three workouts, and finished second to Helena Ideal in his qualifying trial earlier this month.
He beat stablemate Kitura at the Rangiora workouts last week and Kitura finished second on debut at Addington on Thursday.
"We thought he was probably good enough to line up at Addington, but with the ones we had in last night, we just split them up a bit," he said.
The son of Four Starzzz Shark is one of only three runners on the second line, although Barron expects the stayers’ trip of 2600m to help overcome the draw.
"He’s a nice maiden and you would like to think he would be in the first three, anyway."
Barron is happy to forget Gotta Del’s unlucky run at Forbury Park on August 11, where he got dragged back before finishing seventh.
"We certainly weren’t disappointed with the run and his work’s been first-rate since. I think over 2600m he should be right in it.
"He worked terrific this morning so we would expect him to get back into some sort of form on Sunday."
Tips from the talent
Jonny Cox
• Clover Lady (Race 1, No 8)
Amber Hoffman
• Raphoe (Race 7, No 8)
Rory McIlwrick
• Hopes And Dreams (Race 6, No 3)
Samantha Ottley
• Ottawa (Race 5, No 8)
