Tommy Tucker, who comes off his best on the track, has thrived during his spell and returned an even stronger-looking horse than he was at this time last year, co-trainer Shane Anderton said.
''He thrived - he is looking a million dollars.
''He actually looks stronger than he did last year; whether that is something to go on I don't know.''
The 9yr-old could return to New Zealand Cup week to avenge his luckless effort after missing the start in last year's Coupland's Mile, but that would depend on the horse's training up until early November, Anderton said.
''At the moment we are just ticking him over. He could go to Cup week, but he will tell us when he is ready.
''If we don't go to Cup week, we will probably have a look at the Timaru Cup again, because that's a restricted handicap.''
Tommy Tucker's programme this season would depend on finding similar handicapped races and weight-for-age events to stop the horse being weighted out of contention, Anderton said.
The Brian and Shane Anderton stable's White Robe Lodge Handicap-winning mare Coulee has also returned to training.
''We have got all of the stable stars back in, Patrick Erin and Fascinate as well. They've been in for four weeks, nearly.''
Coulee also might join Tommy Tucker at New Zealand Cup week as well, Anderton said.
Part-owner and trainer Graeme Anderson confirmed his open class pacer Titan Banner was definitely on the path towards Cup week.
Though there will be one difference between his campaigns this year and last year, where he ran third behind Lazarus in the New Zealand Cup.
Titan Banner is likely to remain in Anderson's stable for his cup tilt this year, rather than return to the Purdon-Rasmussen stable like last year, though that was not confirmed, he said.
The horse was ''jumping out of his skin'' following his return to training and was on track for one lead-up start before tackling the Hannon Memorial in September.
Star 3yr-old pacer Eamon Maguire has returned to work this week and could be a Cup week contender, though at this early stage of his campaign there was no set plan for him, Anderson said.
Tommy Tucker, Coulee, Titan Banner and Eamon Maguire are all leading contenders for the province's upcoming racing awards.
Otago's Harness Racing Awards are to be held on September 30 at Forbury Park.
Before that, the inaugural Otago Thoroughbred Awards will be held at Wingatui on September 2.
