After the horse notched his first group race win, Anderton, who trains the 8yr-old in partnership with son Shane, described the leading Otago thoroughbred as a horse that has never let anyone down.
''It's a great win and a nice ride,'' he said.
The win gave Tommy Tucker and regular rider Jacob Lowry their third black-type win of the season, after victories in the listed Timaru Cup in December and the listed Easter Cup at Riccarton two weeks ago.
With his win, the Gallant Guru gelding earned himself some time in the spelling paddock, before being set for next season.
Though he will come back a 9yr-old veteran among the Southern open class ranks, Tommy Tucker only got better with age this season, which is a scary thought for the horses he will clash with later this year.
''He's going out for a good spell now, anyway, and we'll get him back again - he's coming up to 9, but he doesn't know that.''
The Canterbury Gold Cup is in a familiar place now that is it is back at White Robe Lodge.
Brian and Shane Anderton have now trained five Canterbury Gold Cup winners. Tommy Tucker joins Burton in 2003, Flight Point in 2008, and Inferno in 2011 and 2012. Brian also trained Random Chance to win in 1987, before forming his partnership with Shane.
Anderton sen also has a connection to another Canterbury Gold Cup winner, through Random Chance's progeny.
''It's been a kind race to us,'' he said. ''Dozen Roses, who I owned and leased out to my friend the late Ned Thistoll, also won it and she was by Random Chance.''
Tommy Tucker held a half-a-length margin over fellow South Island galloper Bloodstream at the finish.
The pair were more than four lengths in front of North Island raider and race favourite Benzini.
Tommy Tucker's win capped a great two days for White Robe Lodge after the stud was crowned leading vendor at Friday's South Island Thoroughbred Sales.
The North Taieri operation sold 12 yearlings at an average of $19,500 and its resident sire, Raise the Flag, was the leading sire by average for stallions with three or more progeny sold.
Six of Raise The Flag's progeny sold at an average of $19,833.
Though another North Island horse was beaten as favourite in the listed Warstep Stakes at Riccarton, it did not stop the race riches heading over Cook Strait.
While the Tony Pike-trained Grand Soleil battled approaching the home turn, Cambridge galloper Nikita was just getting warmed up under rider Samantha Collett.
Once she got to full speed, the Shaun Richie trained 3yr-old ran and overhauled Tuilana and Showemup in the straight.
Though defeated, a brave third-placed Showemup got some consolation. She gained enough points with her placing to win the South Island Filly Of The Year series.
Earlier on the Riccarton programme, Collett rode the Ken and Lisa Rae and Krystal Williams-trained 2yr-old Prom Queen to a runaway victory.
The Super Easy-juvenile put nine and a-half lengths on her rivals to win at $1.30 tote odds.
Prom Queen has the listed Champagne Stakes on May 6 marked as her next assignment, before her connections decide on a possible Brisbane campaign. - Additional reporting NZ Racing Desk
•A memorial service is being held today for former Orari trainer Graham Dobbs.
Dobbs died on Wednesday after a short illness.
Dobbs will be remembered as a talented jockey and trainer.
In the saddle, he won the 1968 Otago Steeplechase.
As a trainer, Dobbs' best winners included Ya Dreamin Jonesy and Boston Boy. Ya Dreamin Jonesy won the 2011 Invercargill Cup.
Today's service will be held at the Orari Hall at 11am.
-By Jonny Turner
