A transformed Amarula is ready to double his winning tally at Ruakaka this weekend.
The Thorn Park juvenile successfully returned from a break last time out on the Whangarei course and he hasn't missed a beat ahead of his return tomorrow for the Donovan's Trade Zone 1200.
"He was oneof our smallest yearlings when we bought him and now he's one of our biggest colts," said Jacob McKay, who trains the 2-year-old with his father, Peter.
"He's obviously well-related, being a half-brother to Little Wonder and out of a half-sister to Puccini and Sir Slick so it would be nice to get some more black type with him."
Amarula weighed in twice during his short summer campaign before he overcame a wide run to beat Sheradream when resuming last month.
"He's a colt that has drawn a lot of confidence from that and he's come on very nicely since then," McKay said.
"We'll take it a race at a time with him, but if he does well there's a stakes race back at Ruakaka again and then we could go forward to Hastings."
The stable will also be represented in the other juvenile event on the card, the BBS Timbers 2YO, by De Niro who was unplaced in his only start before Christmas.
"He's shown a lot of raw ability, but mentally he's taken a bit longer," McKay said. "We've been trying to get him to relax and he's a happy horse now, he's got the ability to run in the first three."
The elder statesman of the team is Antonio Lombardo who is in top order for the Pacific Homes Open 1400.
Aaron Bidlake is hoping a return south will signal a change of fortune for his stable star Eric The Viking.
The Tauherenikau trainer had to alter his plans with last year's Grand National Steeplechase winner after he pulled up sore following an unplaced run at Awapuni last time out.
Bidlake had intended to start Eric The Viking in tomorrow's Wellington Steeplechase, but decided the 5500m test at Trentham would now be asking too much of the horse.
He has instead opted for the South Canterbury meeting today with the Equine Veterinary Services Steeplechase over 4200m a more suitable lead-up option to the defence of his National title at Riccarton.
