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Andy Tanner, the stable foreman for Canberra trainer Matthew Dale, will be hoping ‘the boss’ has got it right when Itchyzariz lines up at Queanbeyan on Monday.

Tanner owns and bred the lightly raced six-year-old gelding who tackles the Homestead Press Class 3 Hcp over 1460m.

Itchyzariz also accepted for the opening race, the Lions Club Of Queanbeyan Benchmark 60 Hcp (1600m) but Dale said on Sunday he preferred the 1460m event.

“It looks the right race for him,” Dale suggested of the Class 3. “The horse is in good consistent form and looks well placed.

“He’s got a good barrier (four) and nice weight after Brock’s claim (three kilo). Brock is certainly riding well and hopefully can get the job done.”

Brock Ryan is apprenticed to Gwenda Markwell and has been in top form lately after losing his four kilo allowance.

Itchyzariz is by Zariz out of the Yonder mare Faraway Heart. Tanner raised the gelding on his property at Gundaroo, a half hour’s drive outside of Canberra.

“He was a slow maturing Zariz horse and Andy was nice and patient with him before coming into work,” Dale said. “He’s only average size but a very stocky horse who has shown ability.”

From 12 starts Itchyzariz has recorded three wins and three placing’s.

Second-up from a 20-week break in only his second preparation, Itchyzariz finished runner-up to Mr Fox in a 1400m Benchmark 55 handicap at Canberra on January 8.

He then scored a half-length win in a similar event at Goulburn over the same trip on January 27 before his last start 2.6 lengths fourth to Duperie Saga in a 1600m Benchmark 63 handicap on his home track on February 5.

“He wasn’t really suited right up on the speed and the pattern of the day – they were winning out wide – was against him,” Dale said of the gelding’s last run. “He’s on a relative quick back up but he’s in good nick and has ticked over nicely since his last run.

“He should race very well.”