Which is why Fraser Auret would rate a victory with Thorn Prince in Saturday’s Listed Civics @ Cambridge Thoroughbred Lodge Wanganui Cup as a career highlight.

“Winning a midweek maiden at Woodville gives me a thrill, but it’s always special when you win at home,” Auret said.

“That’s why it was a massive thrill to win the AG Challenge Stakes [with Julinsky Prince] earlier in the year.”

Auret was born in Stratford and now trains at Marton, but regards himself as a Wanganui boy. His family moved to the River City when he was a pre-schooler and he began his training career there.

“I’ve certainly spent more time there than anywhere else,” he said.

Auret had been confident he could win the 2009 Wanganui Cup with track specialist Shelby, but the meeting was abandoned when the cup field was in the birdcage.

“Shelby was the favourite. He loved Wanganui and we had persuaded Mark Du Plessis to come down to ride him so I feel we have some unfinished business with the race,” he said.

Thorn Prince, who has now won nine races, will need some assistance from the weather.

“A lot of rain is forecast and he does need some,” Auret said. “He’s twice the horse with a bit of give in the ground. He doesn’t need a wet track, just the fire out of it.”