Stable apprentice Diego Montes de Oca is hoping his favourite horse Rock Sensation can show his rivals a clean pair of heels in Thursday's Agraforum Growing Innovation 1300 at Ashburton.

Riccarton trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman have engaged Montes de Oca for all three of Rock Sensation's starts this preparation and with placings in all three, the South American jockey hasn't done anything to put his regular rider role in jeopardy.

But just to make sure, Montes de Oca has continued to go the extra mile to ensure he retains the ride.

"This is the only horse in our stable that after he works Diego takes for a hose down," Michael Pitman said.

"He loves the horse and does what he can to look after him - and all he can to keep the ride."

A winner of six of his 28 starts, Rock Sensation has gone close to adding to his win tally with second placings at Wingatui and Riccarton leading into a fighting last-start third at Cromwell, all three starts over 1400m.

He drops to 1300m for Thursday's Ashburton feature and Pitman is rapt with the six-year-old Rock 'n' Pop gelding going into the race.

"Dropping back to the 1300m, we've just kept him a little fresh for this one. He's bounced out of his last race at Cromwell really well," Pitman said.

"Possibly the other day, the track wasn't exactly to his liking but he still went another really honest race. He's drawn out a bit (barrier nine of 12) but he's better off when he can get a bit of room anyway. 

"He's been working really well. He's bright and looks good. We'll make a decision after this whether he goes to the Timaru Cup or Kurow Cup. The Timaru Cup is worth a lot more money but the Kurow Cup is a more winnable race, so we'll make the decision when we see how he goes at Ashburton."

The Listed Timaru Cup (1600m) is on December 28, two days prior to the Kurow Cup (1400m), a race Rock Sensation finished second in last year.

"He should be hard to beat at Ashburton and then we'll make the call. This is probably a step down to what he's been racing against," Pitman said.

"His performance during Cup week when he sat three wide without cover and only just went down, well if he puts in a performance like that, he should go very close."

The Pitman stable will have six other runners at Thursday's meeting, with Kindred Spirit, Bella Rose and Lady Incanto contesting the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race (1200m), A Bit Sassy in the Ashburton U-Hire Maiden (1200m), Savvy Boy in the RD Petroleum 1400 and Ceddy Smith rounding off the day in the Go Racing Buying at Karaka 2023 1400.

"Our three in the Pearl Series race are all eligible for the bonus so that's why we've waited for this one and they're all going well. Bella Rose was a bit stiff last time and may be the pick of them," Pitman said.

"A Bit Sassy has really improved. She's working really well and she might be our wildcard for the day. If Ceddy Smith hadn't hung over the final stages on the last day of Cup week, he might well have won and he drops back in grade for this."