Luchador struck trouble last start at Gosford on Tuesday from box six and finished last over 388m.

He looks the one to beat in race eight on Friday given his inside draw and record of eight wins and two seconds in 13 starts over The Gardens 400m.

"When he was going well as a pup we took him to Richmond and he drew nothing but outside boxes," Porter said.

"He was having a tough time there and placing in free-for-all events until he finally nailed one from box five. We brought him back and he's had a run of box ones and he's starting to string it together. And he's beaten some good dogs."

Porter was also expecting a big performance from Paige in the race one maiden. She has had three starts for two seconds but takes on the 272m for the first time.

"We've cut her back to 272 and she's trialled really fast there, down in the 15.5s and 15.6s," he said.

At Maitland on Thursday, Darryl Thomas-trained favourites La Grand Quality and Whitfield were made to work for comeback wins.

La Grand Quality ($1.15), returning from injury, led from box one in race four but had to lift late to hold off Oyster Boy by 0.75 of a length.

Whitfield ($1.20), back from illness, wore down Hudson Bolt in the closing stages to win by two lengths.

It was the first meeting at Maitland since April 27.