As he prepares for his biggest challenge in racing with the expansion of his business, trainer Joe Pride still has a special place for an old favourite.

After keeping his numbers to around 45 for the past few years, Pride takes over the stable block belonging to late trainer Guy Walter and his wife Wendy on Monday.

With the addition of 18 horses from Champion Thoroughbreds and many of the Walter horses, Pride will have 80 in work at Warwick Farm, including his favourite Rain Affair.

After a lacklustre autumn, Rain Affair's racing future was tenuous but Pride and owner Don Storey decided he should be given another chance.

"He is still my favourite horse in the stable," Pride said.

"He is back in work and seems good. He lost his spark last time so I have done a few different things with him.

"We sent him to a different spelling farm this time. He went to Newhaven Park and after a few days he was bossing the young horses around.

"I'm treating him like he is a new horse in the stable and trying out a few things to get him thinking the right way."

Rain Affair has won 12 races and more than $1.4 million but has also recorded a frustrating four Group One seconds.

Whether he can return to Group One form in the spring remains to be seen, but Pride will give him every chance.

"I heard a lot of talk about how he should be retired," Pride said.

"But at the end of the day, Don and I are the only ones whose opinions matter.

"As always, we will be chasing wet tracks for him."

A multiple Group One winning trainer who learned his trade under John Size, Pride believes the time is right for him to increase his numbers.

"It will be a challenge but one that I am looking forward to," he said.

After her husband's sudden death in May, Wendy Walter continued to run the stable to ensure continuity for the staff and horses.

She has decided to take time out and had her final runners at Rosehill on Saturday, welcoming I've Got The Looks to the winner's stall.

Walter has not ruled out a return to the training ranks, albeit on a much smaller scale.