Classie Brigade will take the first step in what trainer Robert Dunn hopes will be a season of making up for lost time when he lines up in the Maurice Holmes Vase at Addington tonight.
Dunn is eyeing a big 12 months with the pacer, who missed most of last term through injury.
Classie Brigade was not sighted at the races for nearly nine months after his mediocre run in last year's Maurice Holmes Vase.
The 7yr-old put a series of niggles behind him with a win and hard-fighting second to U May Cullect in three winter starts after moving to the Dunn stable from trainer Nigel McGrath.
Classie Brigade's mini winter campaign could give him a slight fitness edge over his key rivals in tonight's race.
"He has only had a few weeks off because obviously during the course of the last year he had extended time recovering from injury," Dunn said.
"He trialled up well and he is training super [well] and we are looking forward to his resumption, because I think he is going to have a great year."
Classie Brigade looked sharp to win at the Rangiora trials more than two weeks ago.
He beat one of his main rivals, Hail Christian, who was not pulled out and asked to sprint in the straight.
Hail Christian trialled again at Ashburton a week later and impressed when running down Ive Already Told You to win after being asked for a full effort.
A G's White Socks is the leading New Zealand Cup contender among tonight's small field, which has been reduced to five runners with the scratching of Hayden's Meddle.
However, the Greg and Nina Hope-trained pacer could strip in far from his New Zealand Cup condition for the race.
A G's White Socks goes in to the 2600m standing start without having a trial or workout ahead of his new campaign.
The 6yr-old was last sighted winning the Rangiora Winter Classic in July.
Classie Brigade, Hail Christian and A G's White Socks look to have a decent class edge on the remaining runners.
The Dunn stable made significant progress towards the New Zealand Cup carnival ahead of the Addington meeting.
New Zealand Trotter Of The Year contender, Sundees Sun, had his first appearance of the new season with a win at the Rangiora trials on Wednesday.
