Durable galloper Taurus has become a permanent fixture in two winter black type events and he’s on target to continue that trend.

The Evan and JJ Rayner-trained gelding has run in six consecutive editions of the Listed Ag Challenge Stakes (1600m) on his home track at Wanganui, winning the event in 2016 and finishing in the money in his other five attempts.

Taurus was third in this year’s edition at his most recent start and he’s now preparing for a fifth crack at a Listed event at New Plymouth.

“He’s doing well and he’ll run at Awapuni on Saturday, there’s no claims so Jonathan Riddell will ride him and his main aim is the Opunake Cup,” Evan Rayner said.

Taurus finished runner-up in the Cup in 2013, sixth the following year and third and fourth respectively in the last two runnings.