Rain this week was a welcome sight for Riverton trainer Kelvin Tyler before tomorrow's Wairio Cup meeting at Winton.
Tyler was forced to scratch Hayley Maree from her engagement at Riccarton a week ago, as the talented mare needs the sting out of the ground.
"I'm loving this rain, and it's even gone up the country a bit too, so hopefully the tracks might change,'' Tyler said.
The rain has also meant Tyler might have made the right call staying south before heading up to Wellington for the $40,000 North Island Challenge Stakes on May 28.
"I had two options: either to bypass Winton and take her straight up to Palmerston North next week or run at Winton and bypass that Palmerston North race for a race at Wellington in a couple of weeks.
"I thought it was too much of an ask to race her at Winton on Sunday then at Palmerston North six days later.''
The Winton track was rated as a slow9 surface yesterday, and Tyler said that would suit his mare perfectly in the $15,000 Wairio Plate.
"That's good for her and good for Timy [Timy Tyler] and good for most of our horses,'' he said.
"She hasn't missed any work. We've just kept her up to the mark really waiting for the rain to come. She's really well so she'll take a bit of stopping on Sunday. We've just had to make sure to be patient with her.''
Timy Tyler gives Tyler a great chance in the Wairio Cup one race earlier, provided his racing manners are up to the mark.
"He's probably the best he's ever been for a long time at the moment,'' Tyler said.
"Hopefully, he can get a good run and get a bit of cover, and settle in the race because he does have a bit of trouble overracing. Hopefully, he can drop the bit but he's really well and his work is first-class.''
The 5yr-old has tackled the 2000m only twice for one placing, but Tyler said the softer track should bring Timy Tyler into play.
"I think 2000m is going to suit him. He ran not a bad race last start [at Riccarton], but the track was too good and they ran it a bit quick for him.''
Tyler said Keep The Courage and Lochan Ora were the best of his other runners although they take on each other in the rating 75 1600m race.
