Maximillion, the winner of five of his 10 starts and twice second, will be having his first start from the Woodend Beach stable of Greg and Nina Hope.
The Sands A Flyin 5yr-old was transferred to the Hopes from the stable of Gerard O'Reilly at Rakaia two months ago to enable him to be trained on the beach.
"Gerard gave him a month off after he last raced and then he went sore in a tendon when he started fast work.
"We are very pleased with him," Nina said last night.
Maximillion has not raced since he won the Cheviot Cup (3200m) at Addington on March 8 in 4.07.4.
He has had one trial, finishing a distant second to Liquidity at Methven on November 7.
He won a workout on the same track last Saturday week.
Maximillion showed he can handle grass when he won on that surface at Oamaru in February.
He also finished second to Seel The Dream in the Waikouaiti Cup in February at his second-to-last start.
He began racing with a win at Addington in August last year and followed that with a second on the same track, then won at Oamaru and Washdyke.
Gerard O'Reilly has retained the drive on Maximillion.
He has driven the horse in his five wins.
Denis, a brother of Gerard, is a co-owner of Maximillion Leo, another brother, continues his association with Seel The Dream in the Geraldine Cup.
Seel The Dream, also trained by Greg and Nina Hope, was unplaced at his last start behind Highview Tommy in a New Zealand record 3.08.5 for the 2600m at Addington on November 10.
She was third to Telemecanique and Secret Guest over a mile at Ashburton at her previous start.
Second Wind will be looking to embellish a splendid record when he contests the $17,500 Geraldine feature.
The Dream Away 4yr-old has won five of his eight starts.
He has proved adept on the grass, winning his second start at Methven.
He has since won twice at Addington, as well as Rangiora and Washdyke.
