The popular chestnut will line up in the 1600m feature that is sponsored by his trainers, Brian and Shane Anderton, for the fifth time.
This year Tommy Tucker, a 10yr-old, goes into the race in much different circumstances from his previous attempts, which have resulted in a win, two second placings and an 11th placing. He does not sport the sparking formline of previous years, but he is still ready for the test.
Brian Anderton said Tommy Tucker and his stablemate Gallant Boy, who is in some of the best form of his career, were going into the race looking as well as they could be.
"Tommy is well and the other horse is, too - they are both extra well, actually.
"The draw is against Gallant Boy a bit, so that is in Tommy's favour. But they are both ready to run a big race."
The pair did exactly that when running three wide in completing the quinella in last year's race.
Gallant Boy boasts excellent form after impressively winning the Southland Crystals and running a good fourth in the Timaru Cup.
Though their form is vastly different, there is little between the two gallopers.
Tommy Tucker had the measure of Gallant Boy in an exhibition gallop at Wingatui last week. Gallant Boy then turned the tables on his older rival in their final serious gallop before the feature.
Gallant Boy looks set to do extra work for rider Terry Moseley in this year's event from barrier 14.
From barrier 3, Tommy Tucker should receive a much better run than last year, 3,
and he is reunited with Doni Prastiyou
after his long-time rider, Jacob Lowry, opted for the favourite, Boots `N' All.
Lowry said on form the choice looked clear-cut, but when all factors were considered it was not.
Boots `N' All's brilliant Timaru Cup win helped Lowry choose which horse to ride.
"It was not a decision I took lightly," Lowry said.
"It was probably just the sheer fact of the form Boots `N' All was in and Tommy was taking a bit longer to come up.
"You had to take the heart out of it and go with the head, I suppose. I am pretty sure I have made the right decision."
Lowry has been able to keep a good eye on Tommy Tucker and Gallant Boy through his work with the Anderton stable.
He rates Tommy Tucker as Boots `N' All's main rival.
Tommy is still the main danger. He had a good exhibition gallop at Wingatui and even from then I can tell how much he has come on.
"His form is a bit deceiving, but he is peaking for the race.
Lowry said Gallant Boy should not be underestimated, either.
"He doesn't do a lot wrong. He did it the tough way three-wide and gave Tommy Tucker the drag in to it.
"He has really freshened up well and he will be a force in that race."
The TAB bookmaker opened Kolonel Kev as second-favourite behind Boots `N' All.
The Terri Rae-trained galloper ran third in his last start during the Wellington Cup Carnival.
