The 4yr-old was runner-up behind Isaiah in the Northern Southland Trotting Cup last week, but the Pelorus Classic at Waterlea has attracted Isaiah north, leaving Meticulous with every chance of getting some winning black type.
Tim Williams has been entrusted with the drive behind Meticulous, one of two All Stars Stables runners on the day, and he is looking forward to reuniting with the 4yr-old.
Williams' employer, Mark Purdon, took the reins last week, but Williams had driven Meticulous for the nine starts before the Northern Southland Cup, winning four of them.
Meticulous returned to Rolleston after last week's run, and Williams said the long float trips were his only concern.
''He seems well and he's had plenty of travel before but it can be a factor for some of them,'' Williams said.
''But he seems bright and his work's been good - that's probably the only wee concern. The way the floating companies are now, it's not as bad on them but it's still a little bit taxing.''
Meticulous will start from the 20m mark, a handicap which Williams expects the son of Christian Cullen to make up in no time.
''This time in, he's so good from a stand. He seems to put himself in a pretty handy spot early. He'll make a safe beginning.''
The 3200m does not always suit some progeny of Christian Cullen, but Meticulous showed no fears over the extreme staying distance in the Ashburton Cup on Boxing Day.
''It's a slightly different kettle of fish but his run at Ashburton over two miles was good.
''He's probably going to need a similar sort of run. He's probably got to be tucked up for his run at them.''
The extra 500m means Williams would be happy to bide his time in the 10-horse field, but only to a point.
''That would be the plan, but if someone's going to go ridiculously slow, he's good enough to make a move,'' he said.
''But being a 10-horse field and the speed he's got, the worst-case scenario is he should only be four or five lengths off them and he should be quick enough and good enough to gather them in.''
Williams teams up with the other All Stars runner, Snakes N Ladders, in the 2yr-old 2200m. He looks a good chance in the race based on his trial win in 1.58 at Ashburton earlier this month.
''He's not a big fella,'' he said.
''But he's got good enough manners. It looks like a nice wee race for him.''
Barrier 4 gives Williams options from the mobile arm, but he is relaxed which way to go when the arms fold.
''It's hard to know the form with some of those other ones and what they're going to do but it's not the be-all and end-all for him. He's got a good turn of foot so as long as he's sort of handy to them.''
