The Cran Dalgety-trained Texican indicated he was forward to resume racing with a work-out win at Rangiora last Saturday. He ran over 2000m (mobile in 2.33.5, the last 800m in 57.5.
Texican won a heat of the Sires' Stakes for 2yr-olds at Alexandra Park in April. The runner-up, Chancellor Cullen was an impressive winner of a heat of the Sires' Stakes at Addington last Friday.
Texican was also runner-up to Western Cullen in the Yearling Sales Pace at Addington in May from five starts at two.
Canardly Lover could provide Texican with stout opposition tonight. Canardly Lover has won his two starts impressively at Winton and Invercargill. He is trained by Hamish Hunter, who won the corresponding race last year with Franco Ledger.
Alberto Contador, a winner at Motukarara on Sunday, has been scratched as his owners did not wish to start from one on the second line.
• Pukekohe horseman Todd Macfarlane will continue his association with the Pukekohe-trained Pure Power in the Methven Cup on Sunday.
Macfarlane has driven the 7-win Dave and Clare McGowan-trained 5yr-old gelding three times for a win at Cambridge in September last year.
