The 7yr-old was one of the surprise packages in the closing months of the 2014-15 season, cracking the maiden grade in mid-May, before winning three of his next seven starts.
Trainer Andrew Faulks said the son of Sundon had certainly forced him to change his opinion of the trotter.
''I thought early on in the piece he was going to be a good maiden trotter and one day he would win a race,'' Faulks said.
''But being up here in Christchurch, he's learned to whizz around the bends and that's improved him a bit. And the half-hopples - I don't really know how they work - but they've made a big difference to him with his confidence in stretching out.''
Faulks moved from Waikouaiti to Burnham at the start of the year, and works his team on an 800m track at the property of Bruce Negus.
''It took him six weeks after I moved from Waikouaiti for him to get the hang of going around there at any sort of speed.
''And he looks a bit of a stronger horse - physically and mainly mentally-wise is where he is improved.''
That physical strength has been most evident in the gelding's wins, which have tended to come from leading the field up.
But Faulks has the backing of the country's best driver when he suggests the best style for Arran Chief could be coming from off the pace.
''Both Dexter Dunn and I reckon he's better from behind,'' he said.
''The only reason he's been in front is because the better ones have been off the handicaps and the ones that are around him, you don't want to be following.
''But one day at Ashburton [on May 31], he was three or four back the fence and they ran home in about 56 [seconds]."
The winner Harriet Of Mot was off and gone by the time Arran Chief and Dunn got clear with 150m to go, but Arran Chief passed two horses in the last 50 strides before the post loomed.
''Even Dexter said to me that day he has a bit of speed when he comes off a horse's back.
''He has been like that at home too, but just hasn't had a chance to show it [on race day].''
Arran Chief has to give 10m to five other runners, and 20m to the eight likely to start on the front line, as the $23,500 stake for the Super Series race has attracted a big field.
His stablemate, Courage To Fly, is in a race stacked full with form in the second of two Super Series races for the pacers.
His formline reads well, but so do the lines of many others in the 2600m pace.
''He's going all right, but just doesn't seem to be able to finish it off. I don't know if he half-pie bludges a bit.
''He's probably a place chance - normally, he's pretty a good beginner and Matty Williamson has driven him before so he knows him.''
