"She came into work as far back at August," said Rick Williams, manager of The Oaks Stud, which races Spring Cheer from Kevin Myers' stable.
"She did a fair bit of work here before she went back to Kevin, so the background work was well and truly done."
Spring Cheer looked a definite improver when she finished second to Fredrick William at Otaki last start, hitting the winning post strongly after clearing a home-straight pocket.
She is on trial here for a start in the A$200,000 3200m Andrew Ramsden Stakes at Flemington on May 23.
The fine stayer Indikator, a four-time winner of the Rotorua Cup, will lead this field on to the track after his recent retirement.
Reese Jones, who had a magnificent association with Indikator, has a real chance this time on Storming The Tower.
In January last year Storming The Tower was beaten a nose and a neck on a rain-affected track in the City Of Auckland Cup and hasn't really struck similar suitable footing since.
His record on slow tracks is four starts for two wins and a placing and on heavy five runs for a win and three placings. The forecast for overnight rain and rain today is going to suit Storming The Tower.
Decorah's stats for this race are enormous - one start at Rotorua for a win - and excellent wet track numbers. The issue could be the 59kg topweight, a tough weight for a mare in what should be extremely testing conditions. It will be a brave effort from Decorah if she can land the race.
Pump Up The Volume was beaten a lip by Indikator in this race a year ago and connections will be looking for compensation for what was an agonising finish. He also loves the wet and will get conditions to suit.
El Soldado is rising nine years, but is in some of the best form of his career and certainly the most consistent. He is a course winner and rates consideration although at 56.5kg he is handicapped up to his best.
Oaks winner Miss Mossman came back to something like her best form when she led throughout to win at Te Rapa last week. This is a significantly tougher line-up, but she is worth some attention.
Punting pointers
Good stats: Matt Dillon (R9 Avondale). Goes well when fresh, likes heavy footing and has an apprentice allowance, which is going to be important today. Placed at both Avondale starts.
Deserves one: Likes the course: Banbury Lad (R11 Avondale). Trained here and twice a winner on the track. Likes it wet and the wide barrier late in the day is an advantage.
Well placed: Spring Cheer (R6 Rotorua). Not badly off on 55.5kg for a New Zealand Cup winner. Approaching best form and a wet track no disadvantage.
