Group 1-winning stayer Patrick Erin will start work on regaining the status he formerly held as Otago’s best galloper when he races in New Zealand for the first time in more than two years on Saturday.
The 8yr-old will step out over 1200m, a distance short of his best, for trainers Brian and Shane Anderton in open company at Wingatui.
Patrick Erin is not expected to be highly competitive against a high-class field of sprinters. But he is expected to be finishing the race off in style.
"The 1200m will be too short for him, but he had to start off somewhere," Brian Anderton said.
"He wasn’t quite forward enough for the 1600m open race.
"He has had a jumpout at Wingatui. He went quite well, but it was just against maidens.
"I think he will be running on pretty well at the finish."
Patrick Erin was a capable sprinter and miler who stepped up to the 3200m of the Wellington Cup in January 2018 in which he ran fourth.
He left New Zealand for Australia shortly afterwards.
The Gallant Guru gelding took on a string of staying events over 2400m and more during his tenure with leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller.
The highlight of his Australian career came in the autumn of 2018 when he charged home to win the group 1 Metropolitan at Randwick.
Patrick Erin’s form faded badly last spring, ending with unsuccessful runs in the Sandown Cup and Melbourne Cup qualifier, the Hotham Handicap.
That prompted his return to the Anderton stable, where the 8yr-old has fitted back in seamlessly.
"He seems very well and we are happy with the way he has been coming up," Brian Anderton said.
"He is not really any different. He is just the same old Patrick, really.
"We had a few problems with his feet, but he seems to be over them now."
The Andertons have few choices but to revert Patrick Erin back to middle-distance racing this autumn.
"We are getting him ready for the Canterbury Gold Cup and hopefully he should be ready for the Riverton Cup before then."
Saturday’s race will serve as a starting point for those targets.
Patrick Erin could be rushed off his feet early when he takes on Wingatui track specialist The Precious One, the up-and-coming Turncoat, and Timaru speedster Don Carlo.
Johnny Jones and Rocanto add depth to an intriguing open sprint.
