He has won over the Winter Cup distance of 1600m and won his lead-up race over 1400m at Waterlea on July 24 with 58.5kg. He heads the field with 59kg tomorrow. Opie Bosson, who rode him in the Auckland Cup and his win at the New Zealand Cup meeting, is back in the saddle. Bosson won the 2001 Winter Cup aboard Zabeel's Angel.
Titch is trained at Wanganui by Kevin Myers. North Island-trained horses have won the past 11 Winter Cups.
Matost and Bruce Almighty are North Island-trained runners with last-start wins.
Bruce Almighty is one of two 8yr-olds in the field. That age group have won the last four Winter Cups.
Matost won the Whyte Handicap (1600m) at Trentham on July 16. Michelle Wenn has retained the mount. Always Summer (1985) and Rongonui (1988) have won the Whyte Handicap-Winter Cup double in the past 30 years. David Walsh, who rode Always Summer, has the mount on Eric The Viking tomorrow. Eric The Viking ran ninth in the race last year.
Flying Alibi has staked his claim after wins at Wingatui, Riccarton (two) and Ashburton this winter. He won the Winter Cup Trial (1400m) at Ashburton.
Royal Flight has been treated for a blood disorder which ruled her out of the Winter Cup.
"Her blood was not right and she has been treated and will race on the last day of the National meeting," Brian Anderton, her co-trainer, said.
