Motu Top Mach looks exceptionally well placed to record his second career win for Westwood Beach trainer Graeme Anderson in race 2.
Eamon Maguire was a Forbury Park winner as a 2yr-old before embarking on a brilliant 3yr-old career.
It is hoped Motu Top Mach, who shares many of the same owners, can do the same.
A win tonight could result in the 2yr-old being sent to the paddock to prepare for his 3yr-old season.
But Anderson has not ruled out campaigning further into the winter.
"He has just got better and better so he is taking the work more than Eamon did at the same time."
"We gave Eamon one race as a late 2yr-old at the end of July and turned him out."
"Motu Top Mach with racing seems to be getting bigger and taking the racing a lot better. He is a totally different type of horse."
Motu Top Mach reeled off a fast 27.0sec last 400m to win his previous start by four lengths on a rain-affected Ascot Park track.
That kind of speed means the horse should have most of his rivals covered in tonight's race.
Last-start Forbury Park winner Motu Little Princess, who was also bred by the late George Timperley's Motu Lodge Stud, looks a solid place chance in the race.
Anderson lines up Kiwi Crusher in tonight's feature trot, race 3.
The horse has shown gradual improvement in three starts since joining his barn and has worked pleasingly this week, Anderson said.
The competitive event features the in-form Madison Jane, Ace Commander and Splash Cola.
Anderson expects a better performance from Bettor Sensation in race 9.
The pacer went a good race for third, behind Sagwitch, at Forbury Park in his most recent start.
The addition of a murphy blind is expected to make him even more competitive tonight, Anderson said.
Last-start Rangiora winner Debnita Rose looks the hardest for the 3yr-old to beat.
Eamon Maguire has not returned to Otago since winning the 4yr-old male pacers' final at the Harness Jewels earlier this month.
Anderson and his co-owners have elected to leave the horse in the warmer climate of Waikato.
The horse will spell with other horses from the Purdon-Rasmussen stable before starting his New Zealand Cup campaign.
