The Wellington Cup was not originally on the radar for Maygrove, but after showing a dislike for racing right-handed on the likes of Ellerslie a late Wellington nomination was lodged.
Maygrove failed by a nose to pick up Just The Tip at Manawatu last start, getting to the finish strongly.
"We gave him a break after his previous race so he was probably a fraction underdone for that last race. He'll be a fitter horse for this week."
Wellington Cups are generally run at a good tempo which will suit Maygrove.
"He tends to get up on the bridle if there is no pace on, so we're looking for a decent speed and, once again, it appears as though that will be the case."
One of the keys to Maygrove is the 52kg. "He's got a good draw [No 5], a good weight and a good rider, Matt Cameron."
The Baker-Forsman stable also has Decorah in the Cup.
"She's a very genuine mare who tries hard," said Murray Baker. "Also, she should be a bit improved for her run at Trentham the other day and she was only just beaten in that."
Joint favourite is last year's winner Graphic.
Then, Graphic went into the Wellington Cup with a 11411 formline and this time it's -4042, but don't be fooled by that.
"At the moment he's every bit as good as he was last year," says co-trainer Chad Ormsby. "It's just that we picked a different lead-up path for him than 12 months ago."
The benefit of that is Graphic is getting into a race he won last year on a comfortable 54kg.
He showed he was on track with his fourth in the weight-for-age Zabeel Classic on Boxing Day. Last start, he finished three lengths second to Dalveen at Ellerslie, but the run had plenty of merit. Graphic carried 59kg, significantly more than Dalveen, who ended up with the last run at him.
Dalveen has a dashing sprint when she turns it on and she simply outsprinted Graphic from the 300m.
The 2400m here much better suits Graphic and Ormsby is not at all concerned about the wide barrier.
"He always puts himself in the race and he'll negate the barrier early in the piece."
There was a bit to like about the way King Kamada got to the finish strongly when third to Just The Tip at Manawatu last start. He could be coming to form at exactly the right time and will be suited by the 2400m.
Tomorrow's $200,000 Harcourts Thorndon Mile is the greatest career test for Ponderosa Miss.
And we're talking here of a horse that has had some career tests.
Like coming close to death in a serious race fall at Hastings in the spring.
The toughness the Te Awamutu mare showed when thundering back to win at Te Rapa on December 13 will play a big part in the country's biggest group one metric mile at Trentham.
You can pretty much forget Ponderosa Miss' third in the weight-for-age Zabeel classic at Ellerslie if you think a third is a bad lead-up to this race.
The mare was jumping from 54kg in R85 to 56.5kg at weight-for-age - probably an increase of 10kg - and did a great job to finish third to Soriana, who this time carries 56kg, 1kg less than Ellerslie and Ponderosa Miss 53kg, 3.5kg down on her Ellerslie weight.
In terms of handicap, the 2.5kg difference this time in favour of Ponderosa could be significant.
Former Hong Kong veteran Pure Champion is an interesting runner. He has 58kg topweight and a No 18 wide barrier, but there is potential to negate the barrier with his ability to roll forward early.
There will also be plenty of interest in former local runner Ringo, more recently sent back home by Melbourne trainer Mick Price.
Under 55kg he was well capable of handling a field like this before he left.
Punting pointers
Each-way all day: Maygrove in the Wellington Cup (R9) Trentham. Primed for this and looks better placed on 52kg than most in the race. Drawn well and Matt Cameron rides.
Blinkers: Ultraviolet, R10, Trentham. Lacked a little focus when narrowly beaten at Ellerslie last start. The new head gear should change things a bit.
New rider: One The Hill, R6 Trentham. Covered extra ground with apprentice rider in recent starts. Leith Innes aboard this time.
