Time Keeper, a proven performer over 1600m, is back in blinkers for the Matamata Cup over that distance tomorrow.
Trainers Graeme Nicholson and Paul Allbon took the blinkers off Time Keeper for the Spring Classic (2040m) at Hastings last Saturday when he finished seventh, about four lengths from the winner, Wall Street.
"It was a bit of an experiment to see if he would settle and he did," Allbon said.
Time Keeper has gained his five wins wearing blinkers. He won the group one Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie in April and the Manawatu Classic (2000m) against the 3yr-olds last season.
Sam Collett has the ride.
Elblitzem, winner of the Matamata Cup last year on a heavy track, and Agamemnon, the 2008 winner on a dead track, are in the field tomorrow.
Elblitzem, a winner over 1600m on soft footing at Hastings two starts back, has topweight of 58kg, 3.5kg more than he carried last year. Matt Cameron has the mount.
David Walsh, who rode Elblitzem last year, is aboard Waitui Music, the 9yr-old who ran useful races at the Hastings spring fixture.
