Should tomorrow's Riverton Cup at Ascot Park turn into a survival of the fittest, it will not bother Canterbury raider Airpark Flyer.
The 5yr-old is set to start favourite in the 2700m handicap following his strong win the Ashburton Flying Stakes undercard last month.
The smart victory continued what has been a nearly faultless preparation for trainer Trent Yesberg.
"He is really thriving on life at the moment and he seems really well, and he is nice and sound and there haven't been too many glitches in this campaign.''
Tomorrow's staying trip and standing-start conditions look a perfect match for Airpark Flyer's good manners and deep stamina reserves.
"He is such a great stayer, so I would really like to think he would be very competitive in a field like that.
"He is the sort of horse that can make his own luck and go around and sit parked or lead up.
"He only really lets them get past if they come too quick and he doesn't have time to react.''
Airpark Flyer's staying prowess was behind Yesberg's decision to line the horse up in the Methven Cup against New Zealand Cup class pacers.
He performed admirably when running fifth behind the winner, Cruz Bromac, after being denied clear running for most of the home straight.
"I knew he would cop it, but it was still a bit of a risk putting him in that race.
"But the times and the horses he is racing doesn't seem to matter too much. He will beat whatever is out there if you give him the opportunity.''
Running second behind Kaikoura Cup runner-up Pat's Delight looks brilliant form for Airpark Flyer's main rival, Franco Santino, to bring to tomorrow's event.
Franco Santino put in a sound performance to chase Pat's Delight home in last month's Tuapeka Cup.
Yesberg is wary the Nathan Williamson-trained pacer has the sort of high speed that could test Airpark Flyer.
"I would be a little bit concerned about Franco Santino if he had a sit on him, but my horse is one that doesn't really let too many get past him.''
A strong third placing in track-record time in his first run for the season also puts Young Conqueror in contention for tomorrow's $15,000 feature.
Yesberg will start two other strong chances on the Riverton Cup programme.
Trotter Missy Moo looks a big chance of clearing maiden ranks in race 2 after her excellent last-start second placing at Kaikoura recently.
The Rev starts for the trainer in tomorrow's junior drivers' trot.
The squaregaiter has been competitive in handy Canterbury fields recently and should be a strong winning chance if he can begin quickly from his unruly starting position.
