The 26-year-old is relatively new in the ranks of top-end jumps' jockeys, but he has an abundance of the three elements required: confidence, toughness and superb horsemanship.
Gillies says he goes into tomorrow as confident as he was last year.
It helps that standing himself down for two weeks didn't cost him a win.
On Southern Countess, he says: "There are a couple more dangers this time in Wotabuzz and Waitaha Toa, but I believe that riding tactics will help overcome those factors."
Southern Countess really impressed in winning on the Pakuranga card, ploughing through the last hurdle and ignoring the interruption and continuing on to win easily.
"She's a really big, strong girl. She makes her own rules."
Southern Countess goes up from 68kg to 69.5kg, a tough assignment for a mare, but her strength and stickability will go a long way to overcoming it.
Ima Heroine confirmed her favouritism for the Steeplechase with her dominant finish into the minor money in the shorter Pakuranga Hunt Cup.
Winning that last year and again in the Great Northern, Ima Heroine flashed home from an impossible position late in the race to score stylishly.
"The extra distance this time is what she's looking for.
"If nothing falls in front of her and I can keep her out of trouble, we should be right."
Ann Browne has Ima Heroine and Tom's Myth in the race and the likelihood is that they will start the first two favourites.
"I don't have to worry about which one will win, as long as one of them does," she says.
PLACE IN HISTORY
- Matt Gillies has stood down for two weeks to keep himself safe for tomorrow at Ellerslie.
- He rides the two favourites in New Zealand's toughest jumping tests.
- Ima Heroine and Southern Countess could provide Gillies with a record-breaking double.
