The Adrian and Harry Bull-trained galloper lines up in race 5, today’s 1200m open handicap.
The horse has failed in two starts on heavy ground, which he is likely to encounter today, but his trainers hope to amend that record today.
"I think he will get through it; he is out of a Pins mare," Adrian Bull said.
Rider Rosie Myers had a running battle with the galloper in his last start, in the Rangitikei Gold Cup, when he over-raced before battling on solidly for fifth. The horse should settle much better as he steps back in distance from 1550m to 1200m.
Though he did not handle his stepping up in distance in his last start, Bull is not ruling out the horse running a strong 1600m in the future.
"He will get a good mile if they are running along and they go 1.35-1.36, but he wouldn’t if they went 1.45 [pace] like they did the other day."
William Wallace was a good winner, defeating many of the horses he faces today, in his first run back from a spell in a premier event at Riccarton last month.
There are absolutely no questions over whether the Bevan Wilson-trained pairing of Zawhip and Wize Act will handle a wet track and they look to be the Central Districts raider’s main rivals.
The Bull stable has travelled its evergreen galloper Nashville back to Canterbury before his 15th start at Riccarton.
The horse is being prepared to defend his group 3 Winter Cup crown in August and may be short of his best today.
"He could surprise, but he is probably a month away from being his best," Bull said.
"He would be ready for the Winter Cup."
A handy line-up with a decent weight advantage over Nashville, who carries 60kg today, looks better placed in today’s 1600m event.
Raise You Ten (56.5kg) steps back up to 1600m after hitting the line strongly in his last two starts.
Flying Sardine, a wet-track specialist and the winner of her past two starts, will carry the same weight as the Wingatui galloper.
Elfee (55.5kg) and Shakti (57.5kg) also look strong chances in the race.
Wingatui horsewoman Joanne Hillis will line up her first start for the season when William James starts in race 4.
The trainer has not lined up a horse at the races since last season, when her smart galloper Colchester won two of his three starts.
The horse was sold and exported to Hong Kong and has since moved to Singapore.
The 2yr-old will take a step into the unknown in today’s race, not having had the benefit of a jumpout or trial on heavy ground, but Hillis is hopeful the horse will handle today’s conditions well.
"He is on a wing and a prayer, really.
"It’s totally unknown about the ground. He is a big strider; I don’t know whether he will like it or not.
"He is pretty level-headed and has always done anything right. He is a nice horse to work with."
William James will race today and then is likely to be put aside before his 3yr-old season.
Hillis has three horses in work at her Wingatui stable.
