Canterbury pacer Franco Tristan returns to Winton tomorrow seeking the same success he struck on the track a year ago.
On the same day last year, the Steven McRae-trained pacer mastered a handy field to win the Wairio Cup.
The horse will defend his cup title next Saturday and warms up for that challenge in race 9, a rating 60-80 2400m mobile, tomorrow.
''He is basically owned down there, most of his owners are down there and we have to take the cup back down so we might as well have a go at defending it,'' McRae said.
Whether the 5yr-old returns to Winton going as well as last year is something his trainer is not totally certain of.
''He is a funny horse. When he is right he is quite a nice horse.''
''When he ran second to Vincent one day at Methven it was a huge run. He missed away and sat parked and they run a 56sec half.
''When he is in that sort of form he is a pretty tidy horse but I am not 100% sure he is there at the moment.''
However, on paper Franco Tristan looks well-placed, especially with his main rival, Hopes And Dreams, drawn wide on the second row.
''It could be a tricky race for him, though. He is drawn out a bit in a race where they should go a bit. But he does follow speed well,'' McRae said.
''He will just need that ounce of luck, I think.''
McRae also travels the ultra-consistent Tara Tutaia south to start in race 8, a mile race for fillies and mares.
The 4yr-old has also copped a visitor's draw, starting from 1 on the second line of the mobile, though that could work well, as she is best driven with cover.
Tara Tutaia again looks a strong place chance behind likely favourites Shebang and Better Go Fernco.
In the feature trot, race 5, impressive recent Forbury Park winner War Machine will shoot for a hat-trick of wins.
