Big Red was re-handicapped to 62kg in the rating 85 1200m today for his win in the open 1150m at Kumara on Monday when ridden at 54kg by Lee Callaway.
Christopher Dell has the mount today. He began riding in the South Island two weeks ago and hopes to transfer his apprenticeship from his father, Kevin, at Pukekohe to a South Island trainer.
Dell had one win as an amateur rider and he has five wins on the flat and one over fences.
The 19-year-old can ride at 53kg.
"I picked up the ride on Big Red through riding work for Pam Robson at Hokitika. She wanted a strong claiming rider," Dell said.
Trainer Paul Harris has opted for a 3kg claim on The Harrier, a rival for Big Red.
The Harrier was ridden by David Walsh to win a rating 75 1150m on Monday. Casey Lunn has the ride today.
Trainer Michael Pitman, who has won the Miss Scenicland Stakes the past two years with Sand Toyz, holds the key to the weight-for-age 1645m feature race for fillies and mares with Sun Valley, Hauturu, Miss Maximuss and Aluminium Bikerack in the field.
Sun Valley won the Kumara Nuggets (1810m) on Monday following wins at Waikouaiti and Washdyke over the past two weeks.
Aluminium Bikerack was a fast-finishing third to Sand Toyz and Typhoon Warning in the race last year.
Miss Maximuss was a last-start winner in an 1800m race for three and 4yr-olds at Kurow on December 29. She is the mount on Chris Johnson, who rode the Pitman-trained That's My Style to win the Miss Scenicland in 1991.
