The Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained mare looks well placed to win the 1600m feature under rider Chris Johnson.
She comes off a strong last-start effort for runner-up behind 15-race winner Nashville in last month’s Amberley Cup.
Elfee clashes today with several of her opponents from that race, but will not have to compete with Nashville, the winner of nearly $1 million.
Since her last start, the 6yr-old had thrived, Matthew Pitman said.
"She is working as good as anything in our team at the moment.
"She is as honest as the day is long and she is down in the weights and as consistent as she ever has been."
Elfee has drawn in a potentially tricky spot in barrier 1, but has master rider Johnson to find her clear running room.
Like most of tomorrow’s field, Elfee is being aimed at next month’s Winter Cup.
"We are pretty confident going in to Sunday and the Winter Cup," Pitman said.
Tomorrow’s race has extra incentive as the Oamaru Cup winner is exempt from the Winter Cup ballot.
Koxinga is the only horse of the 12 Oamaru Cup runners who is not nominated for the Winter Cup.
Despite being guaranteed a start in the group 3 feature and being one of the leading South Island chances, Elfee was at a massive $61 in fixed-odds win betting this week.
"I couldn’t believe it when I looked it up the other day," Pitman said.
"It will be someone’s gain."
Heavy-track star Zawhip is $26 for the Winter Cup and is also a leading chance in tomorrow’s race.
Finbarr could seal a start in the Winter Cup and cap a fast rise through the grades by winning the Oamaru Cup.
The horse is at $14 for the Winter Cup, but will need to win his way up the order of entry to secure a start.
He has won his past three starts. Shankar Muniandy is booked to ride the 3yr-old at just 54kg tomorrow.
Who Dares Wins, The Gordonian, Shakti and Twoznotenough are also win hopes in the Oamaru Cup.
Tomorrow’s open 1200m sprint is an even affair.
Brilliant heavy-track performer Wize Act comes into the race on the back of a Timaru win following two previous failures.
Claiming riders give Fairlight, Dressedtokill and Dynamic strong chances.
Dynamic and Saber represent the Pitman stable.
"Both of our horses in that [race] go forward and Dynamic is a consistent horse, and you know each time you go to the races what you are going to get. They are both good each-way chances," Pitman said.
