Imani is yet to try 1000m but after a short freshener he should have little trouble recording his fifth Riccarton win from 13 attempts there.
Lightly tried Matamata visitor Golden Globe is the unknown force who looks too promising to risk, despite being still eligible for R80 company.
The trip is going to suit and the Gold Mine 3-year-old is going to be in or near the lead from the jump.
Central districts duo Yours and Supremacy tune up for the New Zealand Cup a week later in leg two, the R90 2000m, and should be the only two you need on the ticket.
A winner on the same card last year, Yours is a battle-hardened warrior at the top of his game, while emerging star Supremacy is now ready to fulfil the promise he showed last campaign.
The feature, the 2000 Guineas, shapes as a two-horse war between blue-blood colt Burgundy and last season's top juvenile, Anabandana.
It's difficult to see anything beating this outstanding pair. If you can stretch the budget to allow for something untoward happening to the favourites, Shanghai Bund and Rock 'N' Pop boast back-up credentials.
Leg four, the R75 1800m, is arguably the toughest leg of the day, but again the northern visitors should prevail. Foxton gelding Supervisor has been screaming out for a longer trip than the 1600m events he's been restricted to so far.
He won't get any easier introductions and isn't the wet-tracker that his record may suggest.
Lightly raced last-start, Trentham winner Pero must also be included on any serious multiple spreads.
He also tries a trip beyond 1600m for the first time but will relish the extra 200m and the 2kg allowance from apprentice Ryan Hurdle.
In the undercard feature, the listed Metropolitan Trophy (2500m), Wanganui's Blood Brotha can make it a double en route to another attempt on the New Zealand Cup next weekend.
This field looks a notch below the one he comfortably beat last year and his two recent seconds suggest he's at peak for this.
Throw in Cambridge mare Fast Love as back-up. She was disappointing under 59kg over 2400m last-time out at Ellerslie but the distance will suit and she was a winner at Riccarton in her last preparation.
Fast Love's promising stablemate Beejay Belle is close to an anchor in leg six, the R70 1600m, with James McDonald aboard.
Trainer Murray Baker is using this softer race as a lead-in to next Saturday's $300,000 1000 Guineas for the group two-placed filly.
She would have to win this - or be a tragedy beaten - to even warrant a start. The Awapuni-trained Ransomed has the ability to upset if the favourite strikes any traffic issues.
Meanwhile, last-start Easter Handicap winner Veyron adds some lustre to the Te Rapa card today when he resumes in the listed Timpson Family Trust Sprint.
It's a big ask with 59kg but the eight-race winner is unbeaten in three attempts at 1200m.
And he came off an even longer break to score over this trip at Ellerslie last November.
He showed he was near peak fitness with a recent second to Handsome Mates at the Cambridge trials on September 20.
Promising stayer Wisecrack is one of the best bets of the day in race six, the R80 2000m.
The High Chaparral 4-year-old resumed with a fast-finishing fifth over 1600m on this course on October 24.
He won two of his first three starts last prep before being tripped up by the heavy track in the New Zealand Derby, just his fourth race.
