Maskiell has been booked to ride well-performed New Zealand stayer Roi D'Jeu in Sunday's $225,000 race at Elwick.

Although he's won the Hobart Cup three times, Maskiell's most recent success was on St Andrews in 2002.

He also won on Nakagima in 1989 and Russian Rogue in 1992.

``It's been a few years since I've had a decent chance, due to the dominance of the Melbourne horses,'' Maskiell said yesterday.

``I'm thrilled to have a good ride this year.''

Maskiell has never met trainer Shaune Ritchie who prepares Roi D'Jeu at Cambridge, about 150 kilometres from Auckland.

``He rang me to offer me the ride and seemed like a nice man,'' the jockey said.

``I was very happy to accept because the horse has good form.

``He was only beaten a head by Six O'Clock News at his last start at Trentham and Six O'Clock News then won the Wellington Cup.

``As I understand it, he didn't go to the Wellington Cup because they were unhappy with his weight and that's why they have decided to come here.''

Maskiell will get a ``feel' for Roi D'Jeu when he rides him in some light work on Saturday morning.

The horse is being stabled with Jenny James at Seven Mile Beach, as was last year's Hobart Cup winner Bid Spotter.

Roi D'Jeu is rated among the top three chances by all bookmaking firms that have posted an early market.

His prices varies from $6 with TAB Sportsbet to $4 with Betasport.

The one constant in all markets is that local star Geegees Blackflash is the favourite.

He is $3 with Betasport but hasn't budged from $2.50 with TAB Sportsbet.

A third operator, sportsbet.com.au, offered as much as $3.80 but it was quickly snapped up and he's now $2.70.

LATEST MARKET

(Betasport fixed-odds available through Tote Tasmania)

3.00 Geegees Blackflash; 4.00 Rainbow Styling, Roi D'Jeu; 6.00 Fieldmaster; 10.00 Viking Hero; 12.00 Dream Flyer; 21.00 Placement; 61.00 Jay Bee's Gee Gee; 101.00 Success Dostta, Mr Isaac.