A change of plans with Diademe has left Neo as the Murray Baker-Andrew Forsman stable's best chance of setting up a group one transtasman double on Saturday.
The pair are $1.25 favourites to win Saturday's AJC Derby in Sydney with It's A Dundeel, the wonder colt completely dominating betting afterarch rival Fiveandahalfstar was pulled out.
The stable were looking at having two leading chances in New Zealand's last group one of the season, the $200,000 Manco Easter Mile at Ellerslie, just two hours earlier, but that has been reduced to one. The partners withdrew Diademe after seriously considering backing her up from the Breeders Stakes at Te Aroha last Saturday.
"Her owner is pretty keen for her to go to Queensland in the winter and there are a couple of really good races for her," said co-trainer Forsman.
"So she will have two or three quiet weeks and then get ready for that."
The partners still have a great shot at the group one double, with Neo rated at $6.50 behind Zurella at $5 in the Easter.
Neo was impressive at Te Aroha last Saturday and at first glance looks to come in well this week carrying just 52.5kg and with a handy barrier.
He has only had seven starts, for three wins, compared with fellow 3-year-old Choice Bro, who has had twice as many starts and won over $250,000 more and carries the same weight. "He is a really nice horse and he can win but we would like to see the track get out to a Dead (4) or (5) to suit him," said Forsman.
The stable's other concern with Neo is the big-track environment of Ellerslie.
"He is a horse who can get very worked up, after having a bad experience at Riccarton at Guineas time last year. He can be really funny even at the smaller tracks so it will be crucial he keeps his cool on Saturday."
The Baker-Forsman will also provide one of the favourites in Horse Warrior in the listed $50,000 Windsor Park Champagne Stakes on Saturday.
"He is a horse we really like and will be hard to beat," said Forsman.
Manco Easter, $200,000, 1600m.- Brave Centaur (13) 59; Capone (12), Happy Guys (14) 58.5; Maximum Height (3) 58; Viadana (7), Zurella (6), Sir Lovesalot (2), Sum Up (10) 57.5; Miss Pelear (15), Postmans Daughter (17) 56.5; Art Beat (16) 56; Joey Massino (8) 55; Innovation (11) 54.5; Our Famous Five (9) 53.5; Tyne Cot (4) 53; Choice Bro (1), Neo (5) 52.5.
