The Grand National and Great Northern Hurdles winner was to have missed his home track's premier jumping meeting as he prepared for a Victorian campaign.
A close inspection of Australian jumps rules by trainers Brian and Shane Anderton meant it would make for a smoother trip if their grey starts in the 2750m feature.
Had Jackfrost gone to Australia without a jumping start in New Zealand he would have effectively had to requalify after he arrived.
Although tomorrow's event is a stepping stone to help get the 8yr-old to Australia's biggest jumping races, it does not mean Jackfrost will not be competitive.
``He is pretty forward, so he should go a decent race,'' Brian Anderton said.
``He has had three flat runs now, so I would be disappointed if he doesn't go a good race. Hopefully, he is hitting the line nicely.''
White Robe Lodge rider Jacob Lowry will made a return to jumps racing to ride Jackfrost.
Lowry's 3kg claim brings the grey's weight down from 71kg to 68kg.
Jackfrost's regular rider in recent seasons, Stuart Higgins, will ride one of the 8yr-old's main rivals in Banbury Lad. The Amanda Swartz trained-hurdler has been in sparkling form this jumping season with two wins and a second.
Banbury Lad's only defeat was when he was second in the Great Western Hurdles behind another race rival, The Energizer.
The Kelvin Tyler-trained hurdler produced his customary swooping finish when running down Banbury Lad in the final 150m.
Rider James Seivwright's 2kg claim helped give The Energizer a 2kg weight advantage at Riverton.
Banbury Lad will tomorrow carry just 0.5kg more than The Energizer, who will be out to defend his 2018 Otago Hurdles title.
The absence of leading southern steeplechaser Tai Ho could mean Delacroix has the Otago Steeplechase over 3200m at his mercy.
The John and Karen Parsons-trained 9yr-old has impressed in two recent steeplechasing battles with Tai Ho.
Delacroix beat Tai Ho at Riverton last month before returning to the same track to run a game second to the Gore chaser in the Great Western Steeplechase.
Seivwright, who looks to have a decent chance of winning both the Otago Hurdles and Steeplechase, will also claim 2kg off Delacroix.
Adequacy, who has finished immediately behind Delacroix in his past two starts, looks the likely favourite's main rival tomorrow.
The Kelvin Tyler-trained 6yr-old will need to turn around the losing margin of 9½ lengths Delacroix beat him by in his previous start.
Much of the interest at the tomorrow's meeting will be in the early part of the race card.
After its two jumping events, the third race will feature the return of promising 2yr-old El Gladiator.
The John and Karen Parsons-trained galloper created a good impression when winning his first and only start at Wingatui in December.
The Ghibellines galloper has finished second in two trials before his resumption in 2yr-old company over 1100m tomorrow.
Additional information for meetings today.-
Auckland RC
Riders
Race 5: O'Angel - D Danis (2).
Race 8: Evana Rahma - D Mansour; Pleeze Bee - C Burdan (4).
Scratching
Race 8: Civilised.
Weather, showery; track, slow9; rail, out 7.5m
Whanganui JC
Rider
Race 9: Father Lenihan - R Elliot (a).
Scratchings
Race 2: Billy The Kid.
Race 5: Minnallines, Love Struck.
Race 7: Sergeant Blast.
Race 9: One Prize One Goal.
Weather, overcast; track, heavy10; rail, true..
NZ Metropolitan TC
Race 1: Stately.
Race 4: Zeuss Bromac.
Race 6: Donegal Art Chokin.
Race 7: Givemefiveminutesmore.
Race 8: Globe Trekker.
Race 9: Eureka.
Weather, showery; track, fast.
