The Claire Anderton-trained mare is expected to start favourite when a quality line-up of mares tackles the 1400m race.
The Precious One will be ridden by Central Districts jockey Jonathan Parkes for the first time.
Anderton and the horse's owners, the Dennis Brothers, of Woodlands, had no hesitation in booking Parkes.
Their mare's two previous jockeys, Lisa Allpress and Chris Johnson, were unavailable for the race through suspension.
''I have always rated him as a rider and the Dennis boys were happy to put him on.
''When Lisa and Chris got suspended I had a chat with them and he was our first choice,'' Anderton said.
The Precious One returned for her first start as a 4yr-old with a stunning 1200m win at Riccarton on October 9.
Anderton said her mare had thrived since the win.
''Her work has been good.
''She is a wee bit of a lazy track-worker, so she is a little bit hard to get a line on, but she is feeling super.''
Woodville raider Bring To The Block and Riccarton mare Montoya Star look The Precious One's main opposition today.
Rising star Te Akau Shark has been rated at $1.50 odds leading into today's group 2 $230,000 Coupland's Mile.
The Jamie Richards-trained galloper is seeking his fifth win in just six starts.
His only defeat came behind Embellish in last year's group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas.
Today's group 3 $100,000 Stewards' Handicap is headed by Ferrando. The Fast 'N' Famous entire has the big task of carrying 60kg in the 1200m race.
He clashes with Prince Oz, who is unbeaten in the South Island since joining Neill Ridley's team at Riccarton, and the group 1-winning sprinter Signify.
- Byerley Park trainer Dawn Williams reached a significant milestone at Te Aroha yesterday when she picked up her 1000th win as a trainer, courtesy of 3yr-old filly Jip Jip Rock.
It was the third win of the day for Williams, who trains in partnership with husband Peter.
It was his 1076th win for Peter, who was training in his own right before joining forces with Dawn.
''It's been a journey and a long journey,'' Dawn Williams said.
''There have been a few highlights, but probably Sea Swift winning the Auckland Cup in 1988 because I owned her as well.
''We were quite young and it was a huge race in those days. I think it was the richest sporting event in New Zealand at the time at $500,000.''
- Jockey Hugh Bowman will miss the chance of repeat victories in the Japan Cup despite having a one-month suspension stemming from the Melbourne Cup varied on appeal to the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board.
Bowman was hoping to get the penalties on a careless riding charge, a whip rule breach and returning overweight in the Melbourne Cup reduced in order to ride Cheval Grand in the Japan Cup on November 25.
Racing Victoria stewards suspended Bowman for one month after his ride on runner-up Marmelo in last week's Melbourne Cup.
Bowman had a 21-meeting ban reduced to 13 for returning in excess of half a kilogram overweight on Marmelo and a 12-meeting suspension cut to 10 for careless riding near the 500m mark.
His whip penalty of an eight-meeting suspension was altered to a $10,000 fine.
The appeals board ruled the two suspensions be served cumulatively, meaning his 23-meeting ban will finish at midnight on November 27.
''I think it's a lot fairer than what I was given on the day,'' Bowman said.
''Obviously, I'm going to miss the Japan Cup, which I'm disappointed about, but that said the findings were fair and adequate.''
- additional reporting NZ Racing Desk/AAP
