Cambridge trainer Graeme Thomas is hoping for many happy returns at Ellerslie.
Thomas, who turns 66 today, will saddle group three winner Mangaroa Flo Jo in the Harold Plumley Memorial Mitchelson Cup (2200m) and Century Miss in the Queenstown House 2100m, both mares in the right form to return home as winners.
"I expect them both to go quite well. It would be nice to get them both up on my birthday," Thomas said.
Mangaroa Flo Jo's Mitchelson Cup entry was an after-thought, Thomas having initially decided to turn out the High Chaparral seven-year-old mare for a brief spell after her fast-finishing fifth in last Sunday's Listed Karaka Classic (1600m) at Pukekohe.
"I actually had decided to give her a couple of weeks in the paddock and then get her back for the open mile at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup day as a lead-up to the Counties Cup," Thomas said.