Any improvement in the conditions at New Plymouth will boost the chances of consecutive wins for Virtuoso Lad.
The lightly-raced four-year-old broke through at his third appearance at Tauranga last time out and will chase a follow up R65 victory in the Landmark Homes 1300m today.
"I'd like the track to come back a point, he's a top of the ground horse," trainer Karen Fursdon said.
"He didn't like it at Avondale where there was a huge shower before the races so I'll just keep an eye on things."
Troy Harris has again been booked for the Taranaki meeting.
