New Zealand Cup starters Nandolo and Smokin By will clash with undercard performers Tango Tara and Heisenberg in the 2850m grass-track staying test.
Nandolo produced a respectable effort to run seventh in the New Zealand Cup, beating Smokin By, who finished 12th.
Nandolo went on to run third after botching the start of a handicap race on Show Day at Addington, three days later.
The John Howe-trained 5yr-old's scratchy start concerned driver Jonny Cox at the time, but he is not worried about today's race.
"He didn't miss it too bad. He bobbled away and then he overreacted a bit when I tried to get him to come back down, so it was probably more my fault than anything," Cox said.
"He was very safe away in the cup, so I don't think the start is going to be a big worry."
Nandolo made up ground following his tardy getaway at Addington and produced strong closing sectionals to run third behind Wild Excuse.
"He went a great race afterwards. Later on I looked at his sectional times and he ran his last mile (1609m) in 1.53.8," Cox said, "so you couldn't have asked much more of him."
Nandolo will step into the unknown today in racing on grass for the first time.
"He is a pretty clean pacer, so I can't imagine it would be too much of a problem for him, but there is always that possibility that it could trip him up," Cox said.
Smokin By also comes into the Geraldine Cup after producing a poor beginning in his previous
run.
The Mitchell Kerr-trained 5yr-old was not a factor in the New Zealand Cup after a lengthy early gallop made his task to win nearly impossible.
Smokin By began safely in both of his previous runs in the Methven
Cup and the Ashburton Flying Stakes.
Stepping on to grass should be no problem for him, judging by his good effort for third behind Chase Auckland at Methven.
Nandolo and Smokin By share the 20m back mark in today's feature.
They start alongside My Wee Man, who is a five-time winner on grass.
Heisenberg is the only runner starting from the 10m mark.
The Robert Dunn-trained pacer twice ran second during cup week,
strong efforts after having to sit parked in both races.
Tango Tara is another to bring New Zealand Cup Carnival form to today's feature.
The Jim Curtin-trained pacer faces his biggest career test after winning a minor event on New Zealand Cup day.
Tango Tara will start from the front line in today's standing start alongside Nearis Green, The Kaik and Go Davey.
