Napatap, who has been nominated for the Riccarton meeting on Saturday, easily won a trial at Rangiora yesterday.
"He will start on Saturday providing I am happy with the weight he is given," Paul Harris, his trainer, said.
"He needs a run before the listed race (Champagne Stakes on May 5)."
Chris Johnson has been engaged to ride Napatap, who won the Welcome Stakes on a heavy track at the New Zealand Cup meeting and a race there at his next start in December. The Patapan colt was freshened after an unplaced run in the Wakefield Stakes at Trentham on January 21.
Harris also has Gold Terror entered for the 2yr-old race on Saturday. Gold Terror has won at Gore and Riccarton this season and placed in three of his other four starts.
A Handsome Ransom-Al Chante 3yr-old filly in the stable of Michael and Tarsha Stokes, displayed a sharp turn of foot to win a maiden trial yesterday.
