Graham Eade has been prepared to wait for Comanche Gold's next win.
But a break of almost 22 months between victories had the Riverton trainer wondering if a ninth career win was ever going to come.
The son of Hawkeye had lined up 21 times since his win at Cromwell in December 2012 for not much - just four placings, in fact.
Eade and his wife, Pat, have had the 7yr-old since he was a weanling, so it was understandable they were happy to bide their time for Comanche Gold to return to the birdcage at the head of the field.
''He went off the boil for ages and he hasn't been that good,'' Eade said.
''It was just a bad patch, I think. Sometimes, I think, they just do that. He's quite hard to train. He's an awful track worker.''
Comanche Gold had carved out an impressive record leading up to win No 8 at Cromwell, winning six times at Riccarton, including the 2011 Coupland's Mile Prelude and the 2012 Amberley Cup.
Eade admitted he was not quite sure what to expect yesterday but now he will have to think about the gelding's schedule.
''I didn't know how he was going to go today so I didn't really plan much ahead,'' he said.
''He's only had a couple [of races] in this preparation. I'd like to go to Christchurch because that's where he goes best.''
Liking for Wingatui
Steven Anderton already had a schedule in mind for Hexie Hao after the son of Hussonet extended his unbeaten record at Wingatui to three wins.
The 6yr-old was touted by Anderton earlier this season as a horse who could win at short order, and he duly obliged in a fresh-up state in the open 1100m yesterday.
''His work has been really good and he just about booted my hand off in the stables so I knew he was well, but you never can be overconfident.''
Anderton was just as taken with The Solitaire, who cruised into the race from last to hit the line well in fourth.
She will head to Ashburton on October 18 for a $25,000 open handicap, and Anderton may take Hexie Hao along for the race.
Ridley provided the eye-catching run of the race, settling last before flying home along the rails to finish third in his first run since a wind operation late last year.
