It is hard to make a case for any of those who finished behind Cheaperthandivorce last start beating her home but there is still the question mark of her stablemate Concert Hall.
She had no chance from last in a muddling Zabeel Classic on Boxing Day but her late sectionals were great and she could be aided by the small field, as any lack of tempo will play into her class edge. It wouldn't surprise to see Concert Hall pull to the middle of the track at the 300m mark and charge hard, so she is the one Johnson will need to be looking for.
Johnson rides what could well be her Karaka Million mount Wolverine in the $120,000 Eclipse Stakes, as the filly makes her first trip to Ellerslie, which has caught many a young horse out.
"I don't think that will be a factor for her because she was very sensible and ran through the line hard at Te Rapa," says Johnson.
"I know I Choose You [trained by partner Jamie Richards] pretty well and she will be hard to beat, but if I had the choice, I'd choose my filly."
Johnson is loving being part of the Gold Watch story, as his light weights have made it impossible for regular rider Jonathan Riddell to ride the horse as he steps into the big time.
"Jonathan was really good to me before I rode Gold Watch last time and told me he might come off the bit on the turn but to wait for him to balance up in the straight and his brain to catch up to his legs," says Johnson.
"That was exactly what happened, and when I got him balanced and went for him, he won pretty easily. So I am really looking forward to being on him."
Johnson finds herself in the unusual position today of riding against her favourite mare Entriviere, who she has ridden in all but one of her New Zealand starts, but Te Akau's retained rider Opie Bosson gets on for the $240,000 Railway today.
That puts Johnson on the talented Roch N Horse, but may deny her one of her career goals before she possibly ends her time here in the saddle at the end of the season to move to Hong Kong with Richards.
"I have never ridden a Group 1 winner at Ellerslie and I'd love one of those before I go," she says.
Entriviere has been heavily backed to win the Railway, in to $1.90 and heading further south from an opening quote of $2.30, pushing Levante out to $2.70 and drifting in a superstar race to start 2022.
Top tips
With the elite of New Zealand thoroughbred racing looking to start 2022 on a high, here is who they rate their best chance of a winner at Ellerslie's mammoth meeting.
Tony Pike, Tutukaka (R6, No 1): "Has come back from Victoria Derby in great order and will run a big race fresh at the mile."
Lisa Allpress, Zee Falls (R4, No 5): "Just beaten last start and honest mare in good form."
Stephen Marsh, Gee Cee (R1, No 8): "Smart horse going through the grades."
Ryan Elliot, Lowry (R7, No 1): "Nice stayer heading through the grades. Only worry is wide draw but he should be there at the end."
Danielle Johnson, Gold Watch (R9, No 4): "Classy horse who just keeps winning."
Andrew Scott, Gone With The Wind (R10, No 12): "Handy horse getting better all the time and good second last start."
Jamie Richards, Entriviere (R8, No 3): "She is a class act and we can't wait to see her fresh-up in the Railway."
Leith Innes, Joey's Gift (R2, No 9): "Has trialed up well and finds herself in the right race."
Andrew Forsman, White Noise (R6, No 4): "Underrated horse in good form who will be over the odds again."
Kozzi Asano, Malt Time (R2, No 10): "Got held up when fresh and going back to 1200m from 1400m will suit."
