Christchurch: Springbank Richard (Dominion Handicap) and Monkey King (New Zealand Free-For-All) are in line to repeat their wins of last year at Addington today.
Springbank Richard won the Dominion Handicap by half a head from Sovereignty, who is again among his rivals.
Springbank Richard was the beaten favourite at his last start at Ashburton but he was impressive winning the Banks Peninsula Trotting Cup two starts back.
He was held up at Ashburton and unable to make headway in a fast run mile won by Ima Gold Digger.
Sovereignty indicated he was back to his best by winning from 50m and 40m handicaps at Alexandra Park at his last two starts.
Ima Gold Digger, winner of the New Zealand Trotting Free-For-All in record time on Tuesday, could provide stern opposition.
Idid It Myway and I Can Doosit are also sound chances. I Can Doosit won well at Kaikoura. Idid It Myway has run useful races since joining the stable of Paul Nairn. He ran third to the Nairn-trained Stig and Roydon Flash in the Dominion two years ago.
Monkey King, winner of the New Zealand Cup for the second time on Tuesday, has Smiling Shard a fresh rival today.
Smiling Shard has improved since his impressive win in the Kaikoura Cup last Monday week, trainer Cran Dalgety said.
Monkey King won the New Zealand Free-For-All by a length and three-quarters from Nearea Franco last year in a six-horse field.
Nearea Franco was having her second start in a fresh campaign when she won the junior free-for-all at Addington on Tuesday.
• The 3yr-old Carabella ran a NZ record for a filly or mare when she won fresh up in 2.55.8 for 2400m (mobile) at Ashburton yesterday.
She lowered the mark of 2.58.2 for a 3yr-old filly set by After Midnight in 2006 and the record for a mare of 2.57 held by Blossom Lady and Natal Franco. The NZ record for all genders is 2.54.5 held by Rider On The Storm.
Anvils Delight recorded 1.54.4 for the mile in her maiden win yesterday. She was 0.4sec outside the New Zealand record for a 3yr-old filly held by De Lovely.
Matt Maguire won the Sires' Stakes Silver in 1.53.9, 0.9sec outside the 3yr-old record for all genders held by Kotare Mach.
• NZ TAB final field dividends for the main races at Addington today:Race 7, Dominion Handicap: $4 I Can Doosit; $4.50 Springbank Richard; $7 Ima Gold Digger; $7.50 Sovereignty; $10 Stylish Monarch, Raydon; $11 Idid It Myway, Dr Hook; $12 One Over Kenny; $21 Leighton Hest, Master Bomber; $41 King Charlie; $51 The Fat Controller, Earl Of Mot; $101 Racey Product, Prince Harry; $151 Running On Time.
Race 9, New Zealand Free-For-All: $2.20 Monkey King; $3.50 Smiling Shard; $5 Stunin Cullen; $8 Smoken Up; $15 Sleepy Tripp; $26 Highview Tommy; $51 Bettor's Strike, Ohoka Dallas, Power Of Tara, Bondy, Nearea Franco; $101 Pembrook Benny.
