Racing: Top apprentice can't stay away

Now you know Australian rider Gavin McKeon was not just being polite when he said he had fallen for New Zealand racing.

Less than a fortnight after signing off on his starring role at the New Zealand Cup carnival with a win aboard Nicholman, Brisbane-based McKeon is back for another fix of the lifestyle he loves best.

Queensland's top apprentice kicks off a five-day curtain call with six rides at Tauranga today and doesn't let up until the final race at Te Aroha on Sunday.

His mounts include this year's Auckland Cup favourite Garrard at Tauranga and last-start winner Kate's Talent in the Levin Classic at Otaki tomorrow.

"My time in New Zealand taught me to enjoy my riding again," said McKeon this week.

"There's a lot less pressure and I like the people and the lifestyle - I want to come back every chance that I get."

That of course includes following his first group one winner, 1000 Guineas champ Seachange through to the New Zealand Oaks at Trentham in March.

But regardless of her programme McKeon also hopes to return for the new-look Ellerslie Christmas/March carnivals, the Wellington Cup festival in January and Te Rapa's money-spinning week in early February.

Meanwhile, Floral Star (race 2) and Stark Galaxy (race 6) give McKeon his best shot today of adding to his 16 New Zealand winners so far this season.

Cambridge co-trainer Chris Wood says McKeon's most high profile Tauranga mount Garrard (race 7) will need the blow-out over 1300m.

This year's beaten Auckland Cup favourite has been sidelined until now with a mysterious blood disorder, forcing him to miss the early spring handicap features.

"We're not sure how he picked that up, but he's been fine for a while now," said Wood. "It is disappointing to miss those early races, but who knows, it could turn out to be a blessing in the long run."

Despite his failure in the Auckland Cup, Wood and training partner, wife Colleen, are still keen to set the six-year-old for the same race on March 8.

Garrard is rated a $20 long-range hope on the TAB's early fixed-odds market.

"He'll get two miles, don't worry about that," said Chris Wood. "He's come back a lot stronger horse this time."

A next-up run over 1600m at Ellerslie on December 7 should tell the Woods if their classy Kaapstad six-year-old is on target for a major lead-up - the $200,000 City of Auckland Cup (2400m) on January 1.

"We might be a bit behind the eight ball for that but we'll see how it goes."