Winter King has built an impressive record of nine wins from his 17 starts which trainer David Payne hopes he can extend in Friday night's Canterbury Classic.Almost as impressive is Winter King's last start second to Black Caviar in the Schillaci Stakes on October 9 when the unbeaten sprinter beat him by just 1-1/4 lengths.But Payne is under no illusions despite Black Caviar going on to beat Hot Danish by 5-1/2 lengths at her next start and Star Witness by four lengths in the Group One Patinack
Winter King has built an impressive record of nine wins from his 17 starts which trainer David Payne hopes he can extend in Friday night's Canterbury Classic.
Almost as impressive is Winter King's last start second to Black Caviar in the Schillaci Stakes on October 9 when the unbeaten sprinter beat him by just 1-1/4 lengths.
But Payne is under no illusions despite Black Caviar going on to beat Hot Danish by 5-1/2 lengths at her next start and Star Witness by four lengths in the Group One Patinack Farm Classic.
"I think she won with a bit in hand that day," Payne said.
"I'm not getting too carried away with it."
Winter King will be joined by stablemate Cardinal Virtue in Friday's 1100m sprint which has 16 entries including Queensland star Burdekin Blues, Salinger Stakes winner Whitefriars and country star Border Rebel.
Cardinal Virtue was beaten just a head by Classic rival Jest Crewsin as favourite in the Carrington Stakes on New Year's Day.
"He is a very tough horse and tried hard last time," Payne said.
Burdekin Blues has had two starts since returning from injury but his summer program has been interrupted by wet tracks in Queensland.
He carried 61kg when he resumed on December 18 after almost a year off and was beaten a nose by Deer Valley in an 1110m race at Doomben.
Burdekin Blues was up against it on a heavy track when fifth in the Bat Out Of Hell (900m) at the Gold Coast on New Year's Day.
Trainer Barry Baldwin has earmarked the Group Two Expressway Stakes on February 5 as Burdekin Blues' main aim in Sydney.
The gelding won the Expressway two years ago.
Graceful Anna is also on the comeback trail in the Canterbury Classic after suffering an injury in last year's Stradbroke Handicap.
The four-year-old won the $1 million Magic Millions Trophy in January last year and the Listed Silk Stocking, also at the Gold Coast, in May.
Trainer David Pfieffer has the Robert Sangster Stakes in Adelaide as a Group One target for the mare.
Such is the depth of Friday night's field, Albury trainer Brett Cavanough has already decided to head south with Rab.
Rab, who was the last horse in the order of entry, will run at Flemington on Saturday after Cavanough said he was scared off by the strength of the Canterbury Classic entries.