Ohoka Dallas and Highview Tommy, well-performed pacers in the stable of Mark Purdon and Grant Payne, are set to resume racing in the Hannon Memorial free-for-all at Oamaru on Sunday.
Ohoka Dallas won a workout at Motukarara on Saturday by a neck from Highview Tommy.
Ohoka Dallas started from 50m and Highview Tommy from 30m.
The 2600m was run in 3.27.4, the last 800m in 59.8.
Ohoka Dallas has not raced since he won over 3200m in 3.57.3 at Addington last November. He was put aside with a tendon strain. He was prepared for the Interdominion in March but had to be put aside when filling reappeared in his leg.
He had been swimming and was going really well this time in, Payne said.
Ohoka Dallas ran second to Cullens Creek fresh up in the Hannon Memorial run in track record time of 3.13.4 a year ago.
Highview Tommy has not raced since he won the Interdominion Consolation at Alexandra Park in April.
He also won the Invercargill Cup last season.
Hazel Von Opzeeland, Phil and Glenys Kennard are in the ownership of both horses.
Monkey King, Raglan, Second Wind and Mach Banner are others starting afresh in the Hannon.
Bondy, the 2009 winner, is also nominated.
Second Wind has not raced for 11 months. He finished second fresh up in the Methven Cup but performed poorly in two further starts last season. He won nine races including the Taylor Mile, Ashburton Cup and Green Mile from 16 starts as a 4yr-old the previous season.
Second Wind finished second by a neck to Monkey King in a 2400m trial at Methven on Saturday. Monkey King, who has not raced for four months, ran the 2400m in 3.16.7, the last 800m in 58.4 after starting from 20m.
Second Wind was off 10m.
"Ricky [May, the driver] is very happy with him [Monkey King]," trainer Brendon Hill said.
Power Of Tara, a stablemate of Monkey King and fresh-up winner at Addington on Friday night, has also been nominated at Oamaru.
"He just has to be better for the race," Hill said.
Hill will consult a farrier this morning over soreness that Baileys Dream has developed.
"It seems to be jarring in his near front foot. His hind suspensory may also be causing him a problem."
The Purdon-Payne-trained Auckland Reactor is due to return to the workouts next week.
"We have been giving him standing-start practice with a view to the New Zealand Cup," Payne said.
Auckland Reactor has not raced since he was sidelined with colitis X on the eve of the Interdominion in March.
• Lawrence McCormick has been engaged to drive Anton Oliver in the race for junior drivers at Oamaru.
Trainer Alex Hastie said Anton Oliver had thrived since his impressive first-up win at Ashburton on September 4.
• Results of trials at Methven on Saturday.-
Weather, fine; track, fast.
Qualifying test, pacers, 2400m (first heat): Tyrons Falcon Ella P OReilly 1; Ballochbuie 2; Primo Tapia 3. Eight started. L, 3L. Time, 3.14 (six qualified). Trainer, P OReilly.
Second heat: Mossdale Charlotte D Dunn 1; Game Of Revenge 2; Micky Blue Eyes 3. Eight started. Nk, L. Time, 3.15 (seven qualified).
Trainers, G and N Hope.
Qualifying test, trotters, 2400m: Eyre Ado J Dunn 1; Sundon Castleton 2; Keeping The Dream 3. Six started. 6L, 8L. Time, 3.24.5 (first two qualified). Trainer, M J Brown.
0w pacers, 2400m(first heat): Bianca R May 1; Eagle Eye Bromac 2; Kin Kaid 3. Seven started. Nk, 5L. Time, 3.20.9. Trainer, B Waldron.
Second heat: Lord Jowers G OReilly 1; Rhuben 2; Colin Edlin 3. Five started. L, 1L.
Time, 3.18.1. Trainer, G Dunn.
0w trotters, 2400m: McBobby J Dunn 1; Ranberg 2; Another Love 3. Seven started. 5L, L. Time, 3.26.9. Trainer, P Howlett.
1w pacers, 2400m: Eyre County T Williams 1; Dakota Grace 2; Hot Wired 3. Eight started.
Nk, 1L. Time, 3.21. Trainer, M J Brown.
2w+ trotters, 2400m: Pink Diamond 10 R May 1; Savona 20 2; Glendaloch 3. Four started. 1L, 2L. Time, 3.22.9. Trainer, C Middleton.
5w+ pacers, 2400m: Monkey King 20 R May 1; Second Wind 10 2; Mach Banner 10 3. Six started. Hd, 1L. Time, 3.16.7. Trainer, B Hill.
• More Joyous is due to begin a fresh campaign in the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley on September 30, AAP reports.
She looked big and strong when she galloped between races at Rosehill on Saturday. Ridden by Nash Rawiller, More Joyous ran 1000m in 60.56, the last 600 in 34.4 in the middle of the course proper.
More Joyous has not raced since she was unplaced in the Doncaster Handicap in April.
