Otaki horseman Johno Benner has a good association with the Karaka Millions, and he could have another serious contender on his hands for January’s showpiece.

Otaki trainer Andrew Campbell is excited about the prospects of his promising juvenile Singletary, and he is looking forward to kicking off his career in the Vets On Riverbank Two-Year-Old (800m) at his home track on Friday.

Quality winter sprinter Spencer showed he is just as adept on a better surface as he is on the deep winter footing when he bounced back to winning form with a comprehensive performance to take out the CR Grace Ltd & Waterforce Handicap (1200m) at Trentham.

Shaun and Hazel Fannin’s pair of talented jumpers in Jesko and Fourty Eight will clash for the first time over fences in Sunday’s hotly-contested Ben and Ryan Foote Great New Zealand Steeplechase (6200m) at Te Aroha.

Well-related filly Spark showed she has inherited a good measure of the family talent with a bold debut performance in black-type company at Riccarton.

Jockey Vinnie Colgan displayed all the skills that have seen him sit in the elite echelon of New Zealand riders throughout his career as he put together a winning double with two superbly judged efforts in the early races on the Riccarton card on Saturday.

Awapuni filly War Princess will head up State Highway Three on Saturday to Wanganui in search of all-important black-type in the Listed HS Dyke Wanganui Guineas (1200m).