Woodsford trains Miss Seton Sands in the $50,000 feature, joining a host of other trainers trying to rein in Belle Miraaj in the 1400m listed event.
Miss Seton Sands was the best of the rest at Gore, getting to within two lengths of Belle Miraaj, despite being hampered with 500m to go.
''She didn't have a lot of luck but there were probably a couple of others that didn't have the best of luck, either,'' Woodsford said.
''But we were very happy with the way she went. We thought she went super.''
To be fair, the Gonski filly is generally super in her races. She won on debut at Timaru in early October and again at Waikouaiti on New Year's Day, and her worst result has been a sixth behind Another Coup at Riccarton during New Zealand Cup week.
''We didn't think that things went right for her that day, either.''.
Miss Seton Sands took last week's abandonment and her second trip back down to Dunedin yesterday in her stride, as Woodsford said she was an excellent traveller.
He is undecided whether he will press on to the Southland Guineas.
''Depending on how she goes tomorrow. Otherwise, there's a fillies' race back in Dunedin in a few weeks' time. We'll just see how it goes.''
Robert Hannam has bypassed today's meeting at Tauherenikau to head south, after steering the filly to second at Gore, a sign he rates her chances.
''He especially came down last week to ride her, so he said he would come back down to have a go.''
The six-day postponement of the meeting has worked out well for Handsome Dax, who was scratched from last Saturday's meeting, but will take his place in the rating 75 1400m.
''He was a little bit crook last week, but he seems to have bounced back. He probably prefers rain, but he does go very good fresh,'' Woodsford said.
The Personal Escort gelding's slightly fresh state was not entirely by design, after his fourth at Greymouth on January 4.
''It never rained over the Coast so he never got to have another race.''
Springwater (race 10) would also benefit from some give in the track, but Woodsford is pleased with her regardless.
''She prefers a little bit of cut in the ground, too, but we're very happy with her. She's going excellent.
''She's got a bit fired up lately, for some reason, but if she settles a little bit, she'll be fine.''
The $70,000 White Robe Lodge Handicap In Memory Of Steven Anderton has not dropped in quality from last week's original line-up and 13 of the 16 horses return from last week's final field.
Sir Singo also gets a start, after being first on the ballot last week. Emerald Queen is an inclusion after returning back from her 10th in the Thorndon Mile.
The extra six days has given Riccarton trainers Shane Kennedy and Anna Furlong time to ready the mare for today's group 3 1600m race.
