Matamata trainers Peter and Jacob McKay will hunt down stakes wins at two venues on Saturday.
The father and son training duo will produce New Zealand Derby winner Puccini in the Gr.3 Merial Ancare Metric Mile at Awapuni and Queen Of Navarre in the Listed Westbury Stud Challenge Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka.
"It would be nice to win both. That's what we are trying to do," Peter McKay said.
"Puccini is coming along well. I'm happy with him. He's all but there. I won't be upset if he finishes second or third. On class he should win the race, but he's not 100 per cent ready.
"He's capable enough over the mile, but there's still improvement in him. Last year he took two or three runs to get to peak fitness and I'm thinking he'll do the same this year."
Encosta De Lago four-year-old entire Puccini goes into the Merial Mile second up, having had the benefit of a Taupo trial and a first-up fourth placing over 1200m at Ruakaka last month behind stablemate Antonio Lombardo.
Safely through Saturday's race, Puccini will tackle the Gr. 1 $250,000 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings on October 4 before heading to Melbourne.
Vinnie Colgan takes the ride on Puccini, the only runner the McKays have at Awapuni.
The partnership is busier at Ruakaka, with five runners engaged, headed by talented Guillotine filly Queen Of Navarre in the three-year-old feature.
"She's worked up quite nicely this week. It's come up a strong enough field but she's capable of taking it out," McKay said.
"At Taupo I thought she should have won but she just knocked up the last 50m. She has taken improvement since then and with Vespa in on Saturday, he should jump and lead and hopefully she can take a sit just in behind."
The McKays also have Antonio Lombardo, Joey Massino, Canterino and debutante Oblivion set to race at Ruakaka.
