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An improved performance from Grey Guru at Otaki on Saturday will put his preparation back on track.

Another crack at an upcoming black type event rests on the eight-year-old’s performance in the El Cheapo Cars Raukawa Cup.

Grey Guru had finished a close second when resuming at Ellerslie two runs back before he turned in a below par effort at New Plymouth.

“He goes well fresh and I was really happy with him at Auckland,” trainer and part-owner Raymond Connors said.

“He was working well, but he was pretty disappointing last time and I’ve got no excuses why he would have gone that badly.”

In Grey Guru’s favour on Saturday will be the step up to 2100 metres and a return to a course where he has already won twice.

“I expect a lot better run from him – I’d like to start him in the Wanganui Cup, but if he doesn’t go well then I’ll probably put him in the paddock,” Connors said.

Grey Guru finished runner-up to Madonna Mia in last season’s Listed Wanganui Cup.

Connors will also be represented at Otaki by Royal Sav (NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race) and Cuzzie Charlie (Gardner Homes Handicap).

Royal Sav has placed in two of her four starts and last time out she got home strongly for third at Waverley while Cuzzie Charlie was a heavy track winner at New Plymouth two runs back.

“They’re reasonable chances and it will be interesting to see how Cuzzie Charlie goes over 2100 metres,” Connors said.