Finding a winnable city race for Sutton Queen has been just as difficult as engaging a suitable apprentice to ride the mare.

But Scone trainer Luke Griffith figures he has struck the right combination in the More Than Ready Handicap (1200m) at Canterbury on Wednesday.

Following up on a recommendation from Rosehill trainer Tim Martin, Griffith has booked 3kg apprentice Yusuke Ichikawa to off-set Sutton Queen's 59.5kg.

"It's hard getting a three-kilo claimer in Sydney at the moment," Griffith said.

"But Tim brought a horse up to Scone a few weeks ago and he told me Yusuke is learning all the time.

"It's his first ride for me but Tim says he is strong enough and he thinks in his races which is the main thing."

If Griffith is right, Ichikawa won't have to deviate from riding instructions that have delivered most of Sutton Queen's eight wins.

"She is one of those horses who you can ride just off the speed and let her dash home the last little bit," he said.

Sutton Queen's lone city success came at Wednesday's venue in an 1100m race on 12 months ago.

Her career since has included black-type placings but Griffith insists she is short of Saturday-grade racing at this time of the year.

"She is hard to place at the moment because Saturday class is too hot for her and you can't really race her in the bush unless it's an open handicap," Griffith said.

"She has even been getting weighted out of some midweek races lately."

In a race where there is more than one horse who likes to lead, Griffith expects Sutton Queen to receive the tempo she responds best to with Master Gaze, Quick's The Word and to a lesser extent Tarrabandra confirmed on-pace runners.

Canterbury was rated just in the slow range after a Tuesday morning inspection and whether Sutton Queen has a travelling companion in stablemate Sugera will depend on a track upgrade.