The 21-year-old jockey has a handful of rides across the eight races this afternoon, but Avow's recent form might give Direen a belated kick-start to the season.
It has been a tough start to the season, as Direen is yet to salute the judge, although there have been some very bright patches, including a third with Bowling Boy in the listed Pegasus Stakes at Riccarton in November.
She followed that up with a brave third on Valiant in the group 3 Stewards Stakes four days later.
''It's been pretty frustrating. I haven't had a winner, but I've had about 12 seconds so far.
''But I had a pretty good run over cup week. I had placings in the Stewards and the Pegasus, so that wasn't too bad.''
Avow is in the final race, a 3 and 4yr-old 1800m handicap, and Direen hopes it is third time lucky for the No Excuse Needed mare after two seconds in a row, including her most recent start at Wingatui on Boxing Day.
''She went huge at Wingatui,'' Direen said.
''Stepping up to 1800m will suit her even more in a small field - a light weight and a good draw will help her and she'll be hard to beat.''
Dangers in the field should be topweight Timy Tyler and the enigmatic Lukander, who gets his lightest weight in a while thanks to Timy Tyler's high rating.
Direen will look to take a sit right behind the leaders from barrier 1.
''Just in behind the speed will suit her and then hopefully she'll finish off the best at the end.
''She's quite a one-paced mare. She never really quickens, but she keeps going all the way to the line. She tries really hard at every start.''
Direen is quite confident with News Flash in the rating 85 1800m after two sixths in his past two appearances.
Much like Avow, News Flash gets in well at the weights and will carry 53kg after Direen's 1kg claim.
''I think 1800m around Kurow will suit him down to the ground. He's got a good draw [barrier 1] and no weight either. He should be up there in the finish and he has been working well too.''
Mawenzi (race 2) is an unknown prospect for Direen, after having just one start in the hands of Robert Hannam for a 12th at Motukarara in November.
''I saw it had one start over 1400m at Motukarara and was well back,'' she said.
''Stepping up to the 1800 will probably suit that as well.''
Evancho (race 5) needs two more scratchings to get into the field.
Today's meeting gives Yaldhurst trainer Michael Pitman the chance to add to his career tally after bringing up what he believes to be his 1500th winner when Southern Sav won at Timaru on Sunday.
Pitman said his goal for the season was to eclipse Rex Cochrane's mark of 1520.
Pitman and his son, Matthew, have combined for 19 winners this season.
