The 6yr-old has just begun fast work for Oamaru trainer Phil Williamson, who won the 2009 Dominion with Springbank Richard.
''Our main goal will be the Dominion so we're working to get him ready for that,'' Williamson said.
The staying distance holds no fears for Springbank Sam after he produced a powerful sprint to finish second behind Stig over the same journey in the Rowe Cup earlier this year.
Williamson has bypassed the New Zealand trotting free-for-all on New Zealand Cup day with his Dominion contenders in recent years - a plan that paid off with Springbank Richard - but he is not ruling the option out.
''We'll look at it - I wouldn't make any commitment to exactly what we're going to run in. We've got to get him going first and then we'll decide.''
Williamson won the 3yr-old trotting category with Alexandra Leaving, along with the 4yr-old category in the same gait with Miss Pegasus.
The Pegasus Spur mare is not bound for the broodmare paddock just yet, as she picked up some nice cheques last season.
''We'll just work her through the grades a bit more. She's done a good job already but she can probably take another couple of steps with a bit of luck.''
Williamson's 41 wins and $346,866 in stakes won earned him the top trainer gong, but it was the outlay of $125,000 by Springbank Sam's owners, Alastair and Denise Smith, at the yearling sales earlier this year that has him quite excited.
The Smiths bought an Angus Hall-Landoras Special colt named Ohoka Hall, which they have renamed Springbank Eden.
''We're hopeful that the 2yr-old we bought at the sales can step up and prove he was worth something like his value.''
If he progresses well in early preparations, Williamson would consider a 2yr-old campaign with the colt.
''We'll aim him that way and see if he's up to that. He's got to put his own hand up but we're hopeful for him.''
Williamson's middle son, Matthew (23), was named driver and junior driver of the year after winning 113 races last season.
The broodmare excellence award went to Vera's Motoring (by New York Motoring), who had three individual winners this season - Go Diego (two wins), Ahorsewithnoname (one win) and Silver Ranger (four Australian wins).
