Fresh up at Te Rapa best for Paisley Park

Paisley Park will have two major factors in his favour when he fronts trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall’s black type challenge at Te Rapa today.

The versatile son of Azamour is in tip-top order for the Group III Eagle Technology Stakes (1600m) while younger stablemate Channel Surfer will bid to break his duck in the Listed Trevor & Corallie Eagle Memorial (1500m).

Paisley Park roared home to win the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) two runs back and earlier this month was unplaced in the Listed Karaka Classic (1500m) after a torrid run without cover from a wide barrier.

‘‘We’ve kept him fresh for this and he does prefer left-handed to righthanded so hopefully that will be key for him,’’ Richardson said.

‘‘He’s going very well and didn’t have much luck at all last time out. We were going to run him in the Counties Cup [Group III, 2100m] and thank goodness we didn’t.

‘‘It was very heavy after a massive downpour and they were covered in mud. The track should be better on Saturday and the secret to him is to keep him fresh.’’

Paisley Park has been a major asset to the stable with eight victories to his credit.

‘‘He’s a pretty good horse, he’s won a Dunstan Stayers’ Final [2400m] with 60kg on his back, the Matamata Cup and the Kaimai Stakes [Listed, 2000m]. He’s as tough as they come,’’ Richardson said.

By contrast, Channel Surfer has yet to shed his maiden tag, but it hasn’t been through a lack of endeavour in strong company as has yet to finish out of the top four.

The Derryn three-year-old placed in the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) last term and this season was third in the Group II Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) and a last-start runner-up at Pukekohe after an interrupted run.

‘‘He definitely should have won and unfortunately he’s got an awkward draw. We’ll try to get him a little handier with some cover it would be ideal,’’ Richardson said.

‘‘He’s a really nice horse and a good galloper, but the ground might be a question mark.’’