Gregor Robson is totally unconcerned about the eight-week gap between races sending High Octane into tomorrow's $125,000 Japan/New Zealand Trophy.
The Cambridge trainer believes High Octane is right at his best.
"We gave him only a week off after the Duoro Cup and he's pretty forward."
High Octanewon a Cambridge barrier trial 10 days ago with his rider for tomorrow, Gavin McKeon, in the saddle.
"Gavin was very happy with him. The trial seems to have cleaned him up nicely," said Robson.
With 53.5kg - 6kg less than Sir Slick - High Octane will get his chance to prove his rating as one of New Zealand's real rising stars.
That's a title he shares with another race rival Charliehorse.
The Matamata galloper has had only two starts since finishing a luckless third to Wahid in the Mercedes Derby at Ellerslie last March and has won them both.
He had bone chips removed from a knee after the Derby and the long break has done him no harm.
The winning run at Te Rapa on February 10 was stunning after he was a touch slow away and had to sprint twice during the race.
Both High Octane and Charliehorse are staring down at the upcoming Champions Mile at Ellerslie if they perform up to expectations tomorrow.
In Sir Slick the connections of both horses have a good measuring stick.
Dezigna is a threat, even with 57kg.
The slow early sectionals of the Starcraft Stakes at Ellerslie meant back runners were greatly inconvenienced and Dezigna had to run the fastest last 600m to get into third.
This race is unlikely to be run as lop-sided and Dezigna could be storming at the leaders late.
Southerner Final Reality is a definite trifecta chance.
He would have won at Ellerslie last start if Cameron Lammas had not had to shift ground on him in the home straight.
