The Te Akau team is sticking with a familiar formula for tomorrow's New Zealand 2000 Guineas at Riccarton.
A decision to bring Rockfast south to Canterbury early for last year's group 1 feature for 3yr-olds almost paid off when the horse flew home to run second to Turn Me Loose.
Rockfast's run before Riccarton was a second placing in the Guineas trial at Trentham, and the Te Akau juggernaut has used that pathway with Xtravagant this season.
The Pentire colt went one better than Rockfast, winning the Guineas trial on October 24 before heading south with plenty of time to spare, co-trainer Jamie Richards said.
''He came down after a couple of quiet days at Howie Mathews' at Otaki and he's settled in really well at the Didhams','' Richards said yesterday.
"I can't fault the way that he's settled in and his work has been good.''
Mosgiel-raised Richards said opting for the Guineas trial over the group 3 Sarten Memorial at Te Rapa two days later was a carefully planned move by the Te Akau team.
''The Sarten is a very competitive race and we had a bit of luck last year going to Wellington with Rockfast then going on to the Guineas,'' he said.
''It suits the Te Akau model of getting him down a bit earlier than all of the others.
''He's done his last couple of pieces of work at Riccarton and knows his way around the place now, so hopefully it should work well again.''
Xtravagant is yet to step past 1400m but the breeding - by Pentire out of the Zabeel mare Axiom - suggests the 1600m tomorrow will pose no threats, especially as his full brother, He's Remarkable, ran second to Jimmy Choux in the 2010 edition of the race.
''He's got a lovely long stride and relaxes mid-race so I don't see it being a problem,'' Richards said.
Both Te Akau horses in the Guineas have drawn poorly and with Xtravagant (barrier 13) is starting just inside stablemate Bishop Rock (barrier 14).
However, it would be no surprise to see jockey Matthew Cameron send Xtravagant forward from his wide draw.
''The way he ran at Wellington, he was very quick away from the gates,'' Richards said.
''We'll see where we end up, but at this stage, we'll be looking forward to roll forward a bit and find a spot.
Bishop Rock won a maiden at Ashburton on October 17, so is yet to put his hooves in the big time, but Richards said his work since the win had been solid.
''He's won at a mile already and he's a Fastnet Rock horse that will improve with the blinkers on and will improve further after Christmas,'' he said.
The 3yr-old filly Windborne will line up in the listed Pegasus Stakes over 1000m and should acquit herself well against the older horses.
''She's been down here for a while now. She's got a nice draw, and in with a nice light weight, so hopefully she should give a good account of herself.''
Vive La Difference has the blinkers on and is a leading chance in the rating 85 2000m, and Madame Jamai also has blinkers on and should settle just off the speed in the rating 75 1100m.
