A different approach has Springbank Richard in contention for the Canterbury Park Trotting Cup at Addington tonight.
Springbank Richard has not previously contested the race during a stellar career which has seen him amass 19 wins.
They include the 2009 Dominion Handicap, Victoria Trotting Derby, Harness Jewels races at 3 and 4 and an Ordeal Cup at Addington.
Springbank Richard has won the Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup in 2009 and 2010 and raced at Ashburton two weeks later in a lead up to the New Zealand Cup meeting the past two years.
The 8yr-old was running on late for fifth in the Ordeal Cup on September 16 in his only start this spring.
"I just wanted to do something different with him this season," Phil Williamson, his Oamaru trainer, said.
His rivals tonight include Vulcan, an impressive winner of the Banks Peninsula race 11 days ago, and Dr Hook, winner of the Canterbury Park Cup last year.
Williamson has the highly-regarded Irish Whisper and The Widowmaker in race 1 tonight. Irish Whisper has won two of his three starts. The Widowmaker won fresh-up at Addington on September 9.
"It is a hard race and I have a lot of time for Thanesan, who ran third in the New Zealand Trotting Derby," Williamson said.
Irish Whisper has been driven in his wins by Brad Williamson, but he is not eligible for the premier meeting tonight. His brother Nathan takes the reins.
Franco Ledger and Christian Ruler, members of the Ryal Bush stable of Hamish Hunter, were scratched yesterday from Addington engagements due to minor foot problems.
"Franco Ledger has a bruised hind foot and Christian Ruler has a slightly cracked heel," Hunter said.
"It is nothing major but we decided against making the trip."
Hunter will send Canardly Lover to Colin and Julie De Filippi at Broadfields next week for a Sires' Stakes heat at Addington next Friday night.
Canardly Lover ran fourth as favourite behind Smiling Star in a heat at Forbury Park eight days ago. He has won his other two starts. Colin De Filippi has been engaged to drive Canardly Lover at Addington.
• Blood tests have not detected anything wrong with Pure Power, who stopped to second last in the Methven Cup last Sunday. Pure Power had scoured during the race. Pure Power is in race 4 at Addington tonight.
Trainer Murray Tapper said Stylish Monarch blew hard after his last start on October 7.
Blood tests had not disclosed anything amiss.
