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Trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson were left perplexed following Domain Ace’s subpar performance at Ellerslie last month, and they are hoping their $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) contender can return to form at Trentham on Saturday.

The three-year-old son of Swiss Ace was announced as the Canterbury Jockey Club's NZB Kiwi slot runner last month, and he didn't reassure their selection several weeks later when beating just the one runner home in the Gr.2 Auckland Guineas (1400m) on Boxing Day.

He was given a full veterinary examination following the race, but nothing untoward was found, and the Rogerson's are trying to put that run behind them. 

"He didn't hit-out on Ellerslie that day, a lot of them didn't," Graeme Rogerson said.

"The vet came out and we couldn't find a thing wrong with him after his last run. Craig (Grylls, jockey) said he asked him to quicken up and he didn't respond. I don't know what to put it down to, but we will see and hopefully he is back on track."

Domain Ace  will face a daunting task this weekend in the Gr.2 Top Kat Roofing Levin Classic (1400m) where he will come up against dominant three-year-old Savaglee.

"That Savaglee is a very good horse, he has certainly got all the attributes of Savabeel," said Rogerson, who trained his Champion sire.

"But you can't win if you are not in. We are hoping that he gets back on target for the NZB Kiwi."

Stablemate, and former New Zealand Horse of the Year, Sharp 'N' Smart will also head south to tackle Saturday's Gr.1 Harcourt Thorndon Mile (1600m).

"He looks tremendous," Rogerson said. "He has been a work in progress but I thought his run the other day (third in the Gr.2 Manawatu Challenge Stakes, 1400m) was very good.

"He is well-weighted with 55kg on his back, and I think it is a nice race for him."

Rogerson's Trentham team also comprises Ferrando two-year-old Mission Complete, who will make his debut in the Listed Star Group Wellesley Stakes (1100m), and Chaource, who will contest the Pullman Hotel Melbourne City Centre 1400.

"He (Mission Complete) is a lovely horse in the making," Rogerson said. "I think he could be a classic three-year-old, he is a beautiful horse.

"He only had the one trial and I thought we were going down, so what better place to give him some education than Wellington.

"The other horse (Chaource) is a half-sister to Mascarpone, and she is a very good mare. She was unlucky at Ellerslie. She flew home and ran third."

Meanwhile, Rogerson will line-up Solidify and Black Opal at Tauranga on Friday, and will be represented by Elegant Jazz at Ellerslie on Sunday.

"Solidify went a nice race (runner-up) last start," Rogerson said. "He is getting ready for the Aotearoa Classic ($1 million, 1600m). He is a good, handy horse. It is a nice race, and he is well in at the weights at 52kg.