If history repeats itself, Canterbury pacer Ryans Raider will steal the show at the Nelson Harness Racing Club's meeting starting at Richmond Park today.
Ryans Raider made a perfect start to his racing career when he won on both days at last year's winter meeting. The Caprock 4-year-old appears set for a successful return to Nelson when he lines up in the Turf Hotel Winter Cup Prelude over 2400m.
Although Ryans Raider had been off the scene with a leg injury for almost nine months, Weedons trainer Kevin Townley is confident the speedy gelding is back to his best. He won impressively when resuming in a C1 2400m race at Ashburton on June 2 to record his third win from just six starts.
"It was first up after nine months at Ashburton and I was very happy with him," Townley said.
"He ran 3:03 from the stand and will improve on that."
Townley said Ryans Raider had recovered from a "reasonably easy" run at Ashburton, where he led and then trailed before getting a rails run to win in 3:03.8. He paced the last 800m in 58.7.
Backing up after just his second run in nine months will not pose any problems, according to Townley.
"He came through the run well. We gave him a few quiet days after the race and then started getting him ready for Nelson.
"Second up won't worry him. That's only a problem if you haven't got them ready for the first one."
Ryans Raider should be installed as the favourite today after drawing three on the front line.
The main challengers in an even field are expected to be Ruthless Red, Camouflage, Try Kacy, Grimentz and Jake the Mus.
- NZPA
Racing: Raider fit for repeat at Nelson
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