Monkey King has had four minor placings in 10 starts since he won the New Zealand Cup-Free-For-All double in November. He finished seventh in the Rangiora Classic ffa on Sunday.
"We had the chiropractor to him before Rangiora and I felt he was on the improve. Ricky [May] said he steered good," Brendon Hill, his Kaiapoi trainer, said.
"He is out in the paddock now and hopefully he will freshen for another New Zealand Cup preparation."
Hill said Monkey King would be spelled for six weeks.
Monkey King had his other win this season in the spring.
He has won the New Zealand Cup the past two years.
Indianapolis (1934, '35, '36) and False Step (1958, '59, '60) have won the New Zealand Cup in three successive years. Both started from a 48yd (44m) handicap in their third win. Indianapolis was then 7 and False Step, 8. The race is now a ffa.
Just An Excuse is the most recent pacer to attempt to win the New Zealand Cup three times in succession. He finished third to Mainland Banner and Alta Serena at his third attempt as a 7yr-old in 2005.
Flashing Red was 10 when he won the New Zealand Cup for a second time in 2007.
Monkey King increased his stake earnings by $53,453 with his thee wins and four placings this season. He has now amassed $3,455,043 from 38 wins and 23 placings in 87 starts.
Power of Tara, a stablemate of Monkey King, continued his sound form with a close third in the Rangiora Classic. He has been entered for a ffa at Addington on Saturday.
"The 1950m might not be ideal but he licked the bowl of his feed bin and will press on to the Winter Cup," Hill said.
Christian Brother, a smart 3yr-old early in the season, resumes racing at Winton today.
The Christian Cullen colt, trained by Graeme Anderson and Amber Hoffman, won twice at Forbury Park in November.
He has been freshened since an unplaced run on December 23.
Ardghal, an impressive last-start winner of the 2yr-old race at Ascot Park on April 30, has a strong claim on his home track today. He ran second to Monaghan at Winton at his first start and finished second to Orl Black in the New Zealand Kindergarten Stakes at Wyndham.
