Holmes trains and drives the filly, and was happy enough with her debut at Omakau to press on to Cromwell.
The daughter of Live Or Die will be making her debut on the grass, but Holmes does not see that as a problem after she had a canter on the grass at Omakau yesterday morning.
"She hasn't exactly gone on the grass before, but she's a pretty good pacer,'' he said.
"She's trialled up well prior and she's ready to go a good one now.''
Love Ova Gold was quite professional on debut, taking the lead before grabbing a trail and finishing on solidly behind Clasina Maria.
"She went good the other day having her first run. She'll certainly take a bit out of that run.''
Another who will derive benefit from an Omakau outing is Gabby's Star (race 11).
Gabby's Star has lobbed a better draw than at Omakau too, starting today's 1800m mobile pace from barrier 2.
Holmes might make use of the handy draw in a race that will have an odd formation of five horses off the front line and six off the second row, due to scratchings.
"He can get off the gate good, so we may look to be a leader with him,'' Holmes said.
His fifth at Omakau looks smart enough considering the winner, Torrid Bromac, recorded a 1.56.7 mile rate.
"He went a good race and you're right in saying it was a good field,'' Holmes said.
"He had a nice enough trip and was right there turning in. He got outsprinted, really, in the lane.
"He'll be better for the run the other day.''
A gear change could help Tehoro Ruby in the maiden trot, especially after she blew to bits at Omakau shortly after the start in her first run in 10 months.
"She was her own enemy, to be honest,'' Holmes said.
"We have gone to a Murphy [blind] on her - she hasn't been steering that flash - and she trotted up nicely this morning on the grass.
"She felt like a different horse today, actually - she went out there and steered perfect straight away so hopefully she can continue that on race day.''
The CR Commando mare capped off a good run of form with a debut win at Rangiora on New Year's Eve 2014, and Holmes is prepared to wait for her to come right.
"I do like her - she's just got to get up and over her hurdles, so to speak, and then she can do a bit of a job.''
"She had a bad blood [reading] for a long time last season and that's why she's been out for the long spell.''
Verdun is "just doing the job and no more'' and will battle in the Cromwell & Districts Businesses Cup.
Holmes is not too familiar with his two drives for Riversdale trainer Tony Stratford, although Concorde Dawn looks an each-way chance from an awkward second-row draw in race 4.
