The Peter McKay trained Amarula has been Ruakaka specialist winning four times from seven times at the course and amassing over $200,000 in prize money.
A last start winner at Te Rapa the four year old son of Thorn Park will clash with two local winners, Kaharau and Spider from the Ruakaka meeting on June 17.
Kaharau, from the Rae Racing Stables, is showing a rejuvenated spring in his racing since returning from the South Island and after winning the Lawson Cartage Bream Bay Cup over the same distance of 1600 metres.
Stepping up to open class for the first time Spider, locally bred and owned by Karen and John Connell, will face his biggest test so far.
A winner at his only two starts at the track this preparation in a Rating 75 and then a Rating 85, the Kim Knight trained Buffalo Man four-year-old will face a stiff test.
The Rae Racing stables have their biggest team to race at Ruakaka for several years with seven accepted to race, including a couple with strong chances.
Major Tom could not have been any more impressive when winning its maiden race over 1400 metres at Avondale.
The step up to the 1600 metres in the Rating 65 Tanalised Mile is always a big leap but this Red Giant three-year-old is from the local family of Playboy Prince and Smedley and the distance should not be a concern.
Sensibility is another from the stable that has been a consistent place getter and Minecraft will be fitter for two runs over 1600 metres this campaign.
Both are in different divisions of the White Cliffs Timber 1600 metres maiden races.
The Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs team have 25 acceptances with a number of chances in several races as their young horses move from trials to racing.
The day should open in a winning way for them with Rocstock based on his single trial win on the June 16. Is this the next Tavistock star for the team?
The Logan Racing stables have three very well-bred runners in each of the divisions of the White Cliffs Timber Maiden with the most interesting being Pray For Paris a four-year-old mare imported from France.
The last three races on the day provide for a very competitive set of races for the last treble of the day.
The Tanalised Mile rating 65 races has attracted a very strong race with four last start winners in Toorak Tower, Mastercard, Major Tom and Spring Show.
The winner may come from outside that group as Stoked Me, drawn barrier one, was a very impressive fourth last start at Ruakaka over the same distance but in the higher Rating 75 grade.
