Trainer John Parsons is in a unique situation having runners in both the Wellington galloping cup and Invercargill harness cup tomorrow.

Wellington Cup prospect Asavant is in the team of gallopers Parsons and wife Karen train at Balcairn in North Canterbury. John, on his own account, works a small number of standardbreds, including Invercargill Cup contender Artiface.

The horseman has eight gallopers and two pacers based at the Waikouaiti Racecourse for southern racing. The three he started at the Gore Racing Club meeting yesterday were Owe The Ransom (third), Punch (ninth) and Semper Plus (13th ).

Parsons was at the Gore Guineas meeting last Saturday when Karen saddled Final Touch for an unforgettable win in the Group I $250,000 Telegraph Handicap on the first day of Wellington Cup carnival.

John Parsons has been training Artiface on the Waikouaiti beach this week in the buildup to the $40,000 Invercargill Cup. Six-year-old Artiface finished third in the Cup 12 months ago. Among his rivals tomorrow are last year's winner, Ohoka Texas, and runner-up, Franco Ledger, and Glencoe VC, who ran ninth.

Artiface was a creditable fourth in Terror To Love's $50,000 Northern Southland Cup at Ascot Park eight nights ago.

''He's all right fitness-wise and that run the other night should have improved him,'' Parsons said.

''He'll need to step away a bit better this week.''

Parsons produced Harnett's Creek to win the Invercargill Cup in 2004.

John Dunn, who reins Artiface tomorrow, has had five drives in the Invercargill Cup - Lionels Meddle (sixth, 2011), Niradi (seventh, 2010), Luckisaladytonight (eighth, 2009) and Lucky (ninth, 2006; third, 2005).

- © Fairfax NZ News

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