Pitman has won a hat trick of Waimate Cups with Global Sovereign (2005), Coup Triumphal (2006) anmd Square Pants (2007).
"I like the Waimate track and Waimate has been a happy hunting ground for me in the past," Pitman said.
Pitman said he is expecting a good run from Jotilla who has been working well.
Jotilla was injured after two unplaced efforts at Doomben in May 2007. He had prefaced the Brisbane trip with a second to Ritzy Lady in the $80,000 NZ St Leger at Trentham and won his next start in a $40,000 race at Ellerslie.
"He had nearly two years off after Brisbane and has had six starts since."
"I think he is on the way back. He has been given an easy time and has freshened well. His recent work has been good," Pitman said of the 6yr-old.
Jotilla was freshened after his last-start fourth over 2200m at Oamaru a month ago in the hands of Chris Johnson who rides the Pitman stablemate Quick Time in the Waimate Cup.
Johnson rode the Pitman-trained Coup Triumphal to win the Waimate Cup inJohnson rode his first winner for Pitman aboard Vitner at Ashburton last Sunday since the pair had a falling out some 14 months ago.
"Chris and I fell out after he rode Borninthestates in the Riverton Cup at Easter last year. He has since apologised and that was his fourth ride since he began riding for me again."
Pitman said Quick Time is being aimed at the New Zealand Cup in November.
"He went a nice race first up. He should give a good account on Sunday but the New Zealand Cup is his mission."
Brittany Moore, the 18-year-old Pitman apprentice, who rode two winners at Ashburton last Sunday, rides the in-form stable runner Eftee Too in race 4 tomorrow.
Moore, who can claim 3kg, won the 3yr-old race on the Pitman-trained Balzane and also won on Flying Frenchman for trainer Peter South at Ashburton.
"She has ridden six winners at Riccarton in a career of just over a year and not many apprentices have done that," Pitman said.
"Eftee Too will be hard to beat. She drops back in grade."
"I like Brittany's chance on Just Luce in race 6. Just Luce is related to the good horse I trained, Just Tommy. I think she is a great place chance on Sunday," Pitman said last night.
Bradnor could go one better than last year in the Waimate Cup.
Bradnor was beaten a neck by the talented Gasnier when the Waimate Cup was held at Ashburton last year.
The Shane Marr-trained Bradnor has won his last two starts.
He led over 2100m at Washdyke at his last start on June 26 and won over 1800m (the distance tomorrow) at Riccarton at his previous start.
Keepitinthefamily and Under Parr warrant respect in the cup tomorrow.
Keepitinthefamily won at Waterlea and Oamaru before his fourth at Trentham at his last start on May 23.
Pitman will travel to Trentham today to see his runners Le Thunder and Kenny Starfighter, who are rivals in the $45,000 Whyte Handicap (1600m).
Le Thunder was a last-start winner over 1600m on a heavy track at Riccarton in the hands of Tracey Newton who retains the mount. Kenny Starfighter is favoured by Pitman. The 6yr-old ran on late for third to Le Thunder at Riccarton.
