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Veteran performer Khemosabi will on Saturday attempt to replicate his Riccarton efforts of two years ago.

At the 2013 carnival, the grey son of Commands finished eighth in the Gr.3 Winter Cup before he closed his southern venture with a victory in the open sprint on the final day of the meeting.

The now 10-year-old filled the same placing in the cup last weekend and seven days on he will chase a repeat success in the Heatstore Premier Open 1400.

While he would appreciate some rain for Khemosabi, owner-trainer Paul Gordon said the horse would strip a lot fitter this weekend.

“He hadn’t run for a month and he’s definitely improved with the race. Things didn’t really work out for him, we thought Illuminati would be trailing us and she went out quickly to lead.

“Our horse had to do plenty of work, but he’s come through it well.”

Khemosabi had missed a vital lead-up outing to the Winter Cup with torrential rain forcing the abandonment of last month’s Listed Opunake Cup, a race he won in 2012.

“He really needed that run,” Gordon said. “He had won over 1600 metres at Te Rapa before that, but it was quite an easy run.

“He’s jumping out of his skin now and he’s driving me nuts, he’s not the easiest horse to deal with at the best of times.”

Khemosabi will carry the minimum of 53kg on Saturday and Terry Moseley has again been engaged to ride the gelding.

“He’s in with a nice, light weight but Scapolo will be hard to beat – he’s obviously the class horse of the field,” Gordon said.