Proven big-race hero Tommy Tucker will attempt to win his third consecutive listed Easter Cup and rising star The Precious One will race at listed level for the first time in 3yr-old fillies company.
Few southern horses possess the raw talent of Tommy Tucker, but tomorrow's 1600m fillies feature could reveal whether The Precious One has the sort of game to bypass him and become Otago's next thoroughbred star.
The 3yr-old blueblood showed brilliant acceleration in her first race since the spring at Wingatui last month.
The victory showed two important factors: after she pulled up in good order, it was clear she was over her previous injury concerns; and the race itself showed rider Chris Johnson she was looking for the 1600m of tomorrow's feature.
With all those circumstances and her strong recent work, The Precious One has few excuses for not showing up in her best form.
"Everything is good and I am very happy with her. She is just as relaxed as she was before and she has gone in the right direction," trainer Claire Anderton said.
"Obviously, it is a step up from what she has been doing, but she is fit and happy and there will be no excuses.
"She has always indicated that she will run 1600m and she is bred to get it. The way she relaxes suggests it won't be a problem to her."
The Precious One is one of three runners in the Dennis Brothers' colours, along with The Sparkle and The Lustre. Their main dangers are recent Wingatui winner Court Zarindi and Greenpark Gem.
Often it is weight, rather than horse power, that Tommy Tucker must contend with when he lines up. With 60kg on his back tomorrow he will need to overcome both to again etch his name on the $50,000 Easter Cup trophy.
Emerging talent Boots 'N' All's star has been on the rise with a hat-trick of wins, but he is getting into new territory having to carry 59kg in a listed event.
Fellow Cantabrian Kolonel Kev is in a similar category, and nicely positioned in the weights with 56.5kg.
It is the North Islanders, rather than three leading South Island hopes, that bookmakers regard as the best chances in tomorrow's 1600m feature. Scapolo and La Fille En Jeu held $3.10 favouritism earlier this week.
The talented 18 race-winning Scapolo has mixed his recent form in the North Island, where he has competed in a range of group 1, listed and feature races.
La Fille En Jeu is seeking her second feature-race win at Riccarton in succession after winning the group 3 South Island Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes last month.
