The march towards claiming another Riccarton feature continues for Timy Tyler at Wingatui today.
Last year's Winter Cup and Coupland's Mile Trial winner has his second run for his autumn campaign over 1600m in the $25,000 Publicans Cup at the Beaumont Racing Club's annual dual-code meeting with the Forbury Park Trotting Club at Wingatui.
Riverton trainer Kelvin Tyler brought the 5yr-old to Wingatui on March 5, and left satisfied with his charge's sixth behind Red Dirt Girl.
"I was pretty happy with that. I thought they would go a bit fast for him, but he hit the line really well.
"I probably would preferred 1400m, but there were none around so that was probably the best option and he came through good.''
Timy Tyler's main goals for this campaign are the $30,000 Hororata Gold Cup at Riccarton on April 2, followed by the $100,000 Canterbury Gold Cup at group 3 level on April 23.
But Tyler said the gelding was close to full fitness for today's assignment.
"He's a good 90% fit, if not more, so I expect a good run. He comes in quite good at the weights.''
Timy Tyler will carry 56.5kg after jockey Kevin Kalychurun claims his full 3kg.
"That's a good weight for him. I'll be disappointed if he doesn't go close to getting some of it tomorrow.''
Clareville Flight looks an each-way hope at first glance at the Pearl Series rating 65 1600m.
But Tyler said rain was needed for the Iffraaj mare to start.
"To be honest, if it doesn't rain, I'll probably scratch her and Sir Jack Remington (race 4) because they need a wet track.
"If they get [a wet track], they'll be reasonably competitive - especially Clareville Flight. But she just doesn't let down on a hard track.''
Rain would also help Starbuck in race 1, although Tyler said it wasn't completely necessary for the last-start winner.
"He hasn't done much wrong,'' Tyler said.
"He didn't beat a hell of a strong field last time, but he's still a nice horse. A bit of rain would help him."
Starbuck is joined in the rating 65 2200m by stablemate The Energizer, who was below his best when finishing 10th and last at Omakau last month.
"The last start is a mystery. We don't really know what happened there, so we've backed off him a little bit and got him over a bit more ground. He seems fine.''
Tips from the talent
THOROUGHBRED
• Shane Anderton
Fascinate (Race 7, No 2)
• Toni Direen
News Flash (Race 6, No 6)
• Terry Kennedy
Janefield Jewel (Race 3, No 4)
• Jake Lowry
Perceptive (Race 5, No 13)
HARNESS
• Matthew Williamson
Stylish Duke (Race 2, No 12)
• Geoff Knight
Jerry Fitz (Race 6, No 3)
• Brad Williamson
Mr Midnight (Race 5, No 9)
• Craig Ferguson
Machie Mach (Race 4, No 9)
