The Mark Jones-trained trotter has drawn barrier 2 on the front line of the c2 and faster 2600m trot today, and his driver, Blair Orange, does have some concerns about his starting spot.
The 4yr-old broke at the start of his last race at Forbury Park on December 19, after drawing on the inside of two other horses on the 10m line.
''He's a funny little character,'' Orange said.
''He can do a few things wrong. He should be hard to beat, but he's one of those horses that you've just got to go with him.
''If they've got to stand too long, he gets himself into a bit of a fizz.''
His starting manners were fine at the first attempt at his last start, but a false start was called, and he galloped for most of the first 100m when the tapes went away the second time.
The Sundon gelding came wide in the straight and was just half a length off Cool Cobber at the line.
''I thought he was quite good at Forbury after missing away early.
''If they don't stand too long, he should be right.''
Orange has picked up the drive on Shard Diego in race 4, and he likes the look of the barrier draw of 1, after the Gavin Smith-trained gelding slowly improved in three runs on the West Coast.
''I haven't looked up the form too much - Gav [Smith] just left me a message saying that he had put me on. But from the draw, he should get his chance.''
Orange has some confidence in Thrill, who has compiled a tidy record of three wins in his 18 starts so far, although the inside second-row draw could give Orange a job to do.
''He'll need a wee bit of luck from the draw, but the one he follows out [Loose Cannon] usually leaves the gate pretty quick. He could end up in the right spot.''
Orange has a strong chance in the final race on the 11-race card courtesy of Franco Revel.
The Falcon Seelster gelding handled the heavy track at Motukarara on December 29, finishing fourth behind Simon Sivad, and Orange will be looking to give the 6yr-old a soft run in the early stages of the race.
''He's probably in a field that suits him. I think he's better doing no work and having one last crack at them. If he gets the right run, he won't be too far away.''
Orange will travel to Blenheim tomorrow to pair up with New Zealand mile record-holder Border Control, who is fresh-up in the group 2 Pelorus Classic.
Orange has plenty of respect for his rivals, who include Franco Nelson and Saveapatrol, but the reports from a trial at Methven on Sunday were promising.
''He's not going to get it all his own way though - Franco Nelson from barrier 1 will take a lot of beating - but Border Control's a pretty genuine horse and they'll know he's there.''
