MIKENIFICENT steps up in class tomorrow afternoon facing what should be a cracking pace at a mile in the Owen Silvera Cup - exactly what the doctor ordered for the American-bred three-year-old colt in his quest for a fourth straight win.

In nicely at 52.0 kilos with Wesley Henry, MIKENIFICENT won his last three races over varying distances, from a mile to 10 furlongs, showing vast improvement in the blinkers over a distance of ground.

His last victory was a monstrous seven-length beating of PRINCE ROHAN over the local-bred's favourite trip, 2000 metres. It wasn't even a race after Dane Nelson eased the big bay colt from behind runners and moved him from the three pole.

Stepping up to open allowance is like a quantum leap from the overnight group, as grade-one horses often alternate at this level, which is effectively grade two.

However, the weight MIKENIFICENT will carry over tomorrow's mile will suit his running style in what should be a hectic pace set by his heavier rivals.

BELOW THE WAIST (56.0), THE GUV (57.0) and LITTLE WASP (57.0) and CLASSIC BEAU (52.0) should have the likes of RAISE A RUCKUS (56.0) and CASSANOVA BOY (57.0) in a hurry to keep pace.

MIKENIFICENT's 52.0 kilos is an ideal weight for Henry to use wisely, not too far yet not too close to the dogfight before using the colt's speed over the last three furlongs to mow down tired horses.

The colt clocked 1:38.4 at the distance on September 3, carrying 57.0 kilos then. He'll be all of 11lb lighter tomorrow with a lot of help to keep the leaders honest from the start.

The staying horses, RAISE A RUCKUS and CASSANOVA BOY will be forced to keep the pace true while watching each other, ensuring neither gets first run on the leaders.

However, their danger, MIKENIFICENT, will be coming from off the pace with 52.0 kilos, which should be unstoppable when he makes his move with fresh legs off the home turn.

There are two favourites on tomorrow's card who can be stopped in their tracks - GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY in the second race and down-in-class REGAL SENSATION in the fifth.

Their credentials might look good in the form lines but they can both be beaten by rivals with better race form.

GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY hasn't raced since June and has done little at exercise to confirm his soundness. POCKET MONEY is the ideal horse to crash the party. He is a bit heavy at 56.0 kilos but could use race fitness to steal a march and turn back GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY.

REGAL SENSATION worked reasonably well, 1:00.4 last Thursday morning. However, she had problems leaving the gate in her last two races. If that recurs tomorrow, fit LIKKLE BIT will make her pay dearly.