Trainer Shaune Richie will start the Ifraaj galloper in race 3, tomorrow's pearl series event for fillies and mares.
Fox In Socks has arrived in the South well ahead of the next month's Gore Guineas in order to dodge a taxing travel schedule.
''She is not a strong filly by any means and the planes stopped flying south on December the 20th,'' Richie said.
''So, rather than send her on an arduous float trip and over on the ferry, we made the decision to fly her down early and if there was a nice race down there we would line her up.''
Richie is no stranger to southern guineas success, having won the 1995 Invercargill Guineas with The Hyatt and this year's edition with Global Thinking.
Each time, his horses have been based at Ascot Park with trainer Sean Bellew.
''In the past when we have been successful in the Southland Guineas, we have given them a run somewhere up north before Christmas and then sent them down for the Gore Guineas and other races.
''We feel she is just a couple of lengths below the northern fillies, but it is worth the risk of taking her down south.
''We don't take these trips lightly. She is a well-bred filly and if she can't become stakes-placed, she will probably be worth a lot less as a broodmare.''
Tomorrow's 1250m event will be Fox In Socks' last public hit-out before the Gore Guineas, her first southern feature.
''We identified this race as the perfect race to step her into the Gore Guineas.
''She is obviously racing for the pearl series bonus, so if she can back that extra bonus money it will pay for her trip.''
Fox In Socks won her last start in pearl series company at Avondale early last month over 1400m, meaning she has not had a run for almost two months.
Richie is not expecting her to be at her absolute peak tomorrow, but he still thinks she can go a big race.
''She has been freshened right up, so she will be in need of this race.
''However, you would think she is going to be competitive enough to get away with it.''
Fox In Socks meets a talented line-up in tomorrow's event.
Smile and Celtic Wonder both come in as last-start winners.
Smile is one of the huge team trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman have entered at the Waikouaiti meeting.
She was impressive when winning a maiden event over 1100m at Riccarton earlier this month.
Celtic Wonder upset punters when winning at Ashburton before Christmas.
Suggestive Loox, Cardrona and Attimo also have claims in the event.
