Stormin Norman ready

Stormin Norman is primed to return to the winner's circle when he lines up in the Gary Stewart@Mitavite 1650 at Waverley today.

The huge Istidad four-year-old with Robert Patterson has been given topweight (59kg) for today's Rating 85 assignment, but will only carry 56kg with Mathew Cropp's allowance.

"He's very well at the moment.

"I had him in at Otaki last week, but he cut his nose and I scratched.

"He's well over that now and his work is excellent," Patterson said yesterday.

"I'll give him a Rating 85 2000m after this and then he's off to the Taumarunui Gold Cup, but in the meantime I expect a big run from him at Waverley. He won't love the heavy10 track but he'll handle it."

In his fresh-up run at New Plymouth Stormin Norman got back and cut the corner in the home to battle in the worst of the going to finish a creditable fourth to Baltis on June 7.

"He's a huge horse - nearly 17 hands - and will carry weight well, so that's of no real concern to me," Patterson said.