Monkey King resumed racing with a big run for second to Stunin Cullen in the New Brighton Cup ffa (2600m) at Addington a fortnight ago.
Monkey King paid $4.30 to win when successful as favourite in the $1 million New Zealand Cup last November.
Stunin Cullen is not in the field tonight. Kiwi Ingenuity is resuming from a 10-month break after undergoing surgery for the removal of bone chips from a knee.
She won a workout in fast time at Rangiora last Saturday following a similar win at Addington six days earlier.
Kiwi Ingenuity has gained 10 of her 11 wins from the mobile gate, but she won fresh-up from a stand at Ashburton last October.
Ima Gold Digger (race 3 tonight) is returning to the track where he won the 2009 New Zealand Trotting Derby. The Derby was among nine races won by Ima Gold Digger when he was trained by his Christchurch owners, Allan and Lee Georgeson.
Ima Gold Digger joined the Waiuku stable of Michelle Wallis last January. He added another four wins to his tally before he was spelled in June.
Ima Gold Digger ran Raydon to a nose in a workout at Pukekohe 10 days ago. Anthony Butt is driving Ima Gold Digger for the first time tonight.
The Barry Purdon-Scott Phelan-trained Raydon is among his rivals, resuming from a nine-month break.
Franco Emirate is a $180 favourite for the Superstars Championship tonight. He remained unbeaten in seven starts after he won at Oamaru on Sunday after losing some 50m at the start. It was his first standing start. He has gone to the unruly position off 10m tonight.
The New Zealand TAB market for the New Zealand Cup. -
$3.50 Monkey King, $5.50 Kiwi Ingenuity, $6 Tintin In America, $7 Smoken Up (Aus), Stunin Cullen, $14 Sleepy Tripp, $15 Second Wind, $16 Bondy, $17 Pembrook Benny, $21 Bettor's Strike, Highview Tommy, $26 Mr Feelgood (Aus), Ohoka Dallas, Percy The Punter, $31 Cullen's Creek, Karloo Mick (Aus), Raglan, $41 Power Of Tara, Georgetown, $51 Yokozuna, $61 Tennis Ball, $81 Fake Chance, Lord Forbes, $101 Big Dog, Cullini, $151 Mr Molly, Ohoka Arizona, St Barts, $201 My Man Dan, Spero Denario, The Gigolo, $301 Niraadi.
Superstars Championship: $1.80 Franco Emirate; $4.50 River Field; $6 Choise Achiever; $12 Feels Like Magic, Four Starzzz Flash; $15 Anvils Best Ever; $17 Limited Edition; $31 Amenophis; $51 Allfedup; $101 False Promise.
Searells Free-For-All: $1.80 Monkey King; $2.50 Kiwi Ingenuity; $7 Bondy; $12 Pembrook Benny; $18 Georgetown; $21 Power Of Tara.
