Craig Ferguson's two drives at Gore tomorrow are a brief snapshot of his career - past and present.
Ferguson began working for Invercargill trainer Wayne Adams at the start of the season, and jumps behind smart pacer Brindy in the 5yr-old's season debut.
But his one other drive for the meeting, Milligan, is an engagement for Ross Wilson, who gave Ferguson some chances when he was starting out.
Ferguson duly rewarded Wilson's loyalty with six wins for him last season, including Milligan's two career wins.
Both horses are coming into tomorrow's assignments in a reasonably fresh state.
Milligan has not raced since Winton in May, while Brindy has had just one workout last Saturday in preparation for his season debut, finishing third behind Mrs Mustn't Touch.
''He went pretty well at the workouts,'' Ferguson said.
''We just gave him a bit of a quiet run to see where he was at but we were happy with how he went.
''Obviously race day is a bit different so we'll have to see on Sunday if he needs the run or not.''
The son of Bettor's Delight has always looked like a horse of some promise, earning four wins from 22 starts in his career along with 10 minor placings.
But he meets some race-hardened rivals tomorrow, including the Paul Kerr-trained Alta Jerome and last-start winner Vincennes, who is likely to push forward from her outside barrier draw.
Brindy has drawn barrier 1, so Ferguson will make his mind up as the field scores up behind the mobile arm at Gore.
''He's got the good draw so it gives me options so I'll just have to see what the rest of them do off the gate.
''If they go hard, it's his first start for the season so we'll just to play it by ear.''
Brindy is one of 15 horses in work with Adams, although he is the only horse fine-tuned for racing.
''The rest are still probably a few weeks away.
''It's a good opportunity [to work for Adams] and he's got some nice horses.''
Milligan (race 9) is drawn nicely in barrier 3, but may also lack the race fitness of the likes of Bad Boy Mara, Aran Abbey and Imperial Ace.
''I really like him. He's going to be a nice horse, but he hasn't had a workout so he's probably going to need the race,'' Ferguson said.
''He seems to take a while to come back to it.''
