The Group Three performer was impressive when winning the Bream Bay Cup (2100m) at the Northland track last month by 5-1/2 lengths and will meet a similar field in the ITM/GIB Whangarei Gold Cup (2100m) this weekend.

Masetto joined Ardmore Lodge trainer Allan Smith’s barn a couple of months ago and he has impressed his new handler in that time, recording a win and a runner-up result from just three starts.

“He is a lovely horse and I am honoured that Elizabeth and David (Olsen, owners) have given me the job of looking after him,” Smith said.

Masetto has continued to please Smith with his work at home and he is expecting another strong showing from the five-year-old on Saturday.

“I think his chances are pretty good,” Smith said. “He is a very good horse and I can’t see it being any different to what it was last start.”

After Saturday, Masetto will head for a freshen-up before being set to return to race on better surfaces later in the year.

“He is going to have a break after Saturday,” Smith said. “We will race him through the spring, he just needs better tracks.”