Pegus, now based in Melbourne, has been a long-time stable rider for leading Wangaratta trainer John Ledger while Activation’s 21-year-old trainer Michael Hickmott is the son of former Wangaratta trainer John Hickmott.

Activation has had just two starts since he provided his young trainer with his second Darwin Cup last year, running sixth and fifth in key lead-up races to the $160,000 cup (2000m).

“It has certainly been an unusual preparation but it’s been specifically planned around winning another Darwin Cup,” Pegus said.

“If he raced too much he ran the risk of drawing too much weight in the cup.

“He’s had two good lead-up runs and done a lot of work in between so hopefully he’ll turn up on the day and be primed for it.”

Hickmott and Pegus have already tasted Darwin Cup success together, winning the 2007 feature with General Market.

Pegus, who won the Albury Gold Cup-City Hcp double last year, was booked to ride Activation in last year’s cup but had to pass the reigns to local hoop Carl Spry after he broke his wrist in a fall at Caulfield days before the race.

- Bookmakers give Wodonga trainer Brian Cox a top chance of finishing the racing season on a high with stable star Berringama at Caulfield today.

TAB Sportsbet last night rated the four-year-old a $7 chance to claim his second city win in the competitive $70,000 Chairman’s Retirement Hcp (1400m), third favourite behind Michael Kent galloper Philda ($4) and Tony Vasil’s Maxisun ($6).

Berringama, to again be ridden by Glen Boss, ran sixth behind quality youngster Reward For Effort in the listed Sir John Monash Stakes when first-up at Caulfield two weeks ago.

Cox will also saddle up three-year-old gelding Cudgewa in this afternoon’s $70,000 Yalumba Masters (1400m).