Ricky May admits tomorrow's Methven Cup could hardly be more ideal for Baileys Dream.
But that doesn't stop him being just a little bit worried about one of his former star drives, It's Ella.
It's Ella, who was retired last season, returns to the track in the $25,000feature on the huge grass track at Mount Harding.
While she has been trialling well, It's Ella is expected to be short of the race fitness needed to challenge Baileys Dream.
But after driving It's Ella on many occasions last season, May, who partners Baileys Dream on Sunday, is not taking the challenge lightly.
"She is a very good mare and has great speed," he says.
"I know she has been working well and while she may struggle to beat us first-up over 3000m, she is good enough to make us work hard."
It's Ella was third in last year's New Zealand Cup and is heading in that direction again, but this race looks Baileys Dream's for the taking.
The leggy pacer has been in outstanding form this season.
His only defeat came when he was forced to sit parked at Addington last week.
"He paced his last mile in under 1:55 last week and you can't really go much better than that," May said.
Baileys Dream comes into the race amazingly well from the 20m back mark. He has won 18 races, yet shares that mark with horses such as Nick Off Holme, who last raced in intermediate grade.
