Star New Zealand-bred and owned four-year-old I Wish I Win will target the A$20 million Everest (1200m) after securing a slot in the race.
Butler is guaranteed to start a short-priced favourite in the open handicap at Te Rapa on Saturday, but trainer Allan Sharrock isn’t under-estimating the threat posed by his well-performed stablemate.
Mark Walker is refusing to get complacent as he closes in on an historic first 200-win season.
Hawera trainer Anna Clement will head to Awapuni with a strong hand on Saturday and hopes her stakes-winning filly Rocababy can return to her winning ways.
Rangiora galloper Louie Louie will get his first shot at stakes glory following his dominant performance in the Winning Edge Presentation Winter Cup Trial (1400m) at Ashburton on Thursday.
Promising Kiwi filly Elsie May broke through for her first victory for trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace in the Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives Handicap (1600m) at Sandown on Wednesday under a determined Luke Campbell ride.
Trainer Andrew Forsman will be keeping an eye on both sides of the Tasman on Saturday, with the Cambridge horseman set to have runners at both New Zealand venues, as well as Caulfield.
A trio of Southland runners will be on trial for looming Cups targets when they head to Ashburton on Thursday.
Northern apprentice Kelsey Hannan and Canterbury mare Athene have been rivals in their last two meetings, but the pair will unite at Ashburton on Thursday in the Dunstan Horsefeeds 2200.
Irish jockey Jack Power is off the mark in New Zealand after recording his first win aboard Taika in the Best Forsyth Electrial Maiden Hurdle (2500m) at Hastings on Saturday.
