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Michael Pitman always looks forward to his visits to the capital.

The Riccarton trainer’s sole Group One win came at Trentham, his first Group Two victory came on the track and he has also enjoyed regular success at the Wellington Cup meeting.

Pitman, who trains in partnership with his son Matthew, won the opening race at the 2017 carnival last weekend and has genuine hopes in the two remaining Group One races at the meeting.

His talented sprinter First Serve is fourth favourite for Saturday’s J. R. & N. Berkett Telegraph and stablemate Son Of Maher is fourth favourite for the Harcourts Thorndon Mile on January 28.

First Serve did not make her debut until last March, when she comfortably won a maiden on her home track. Two starts later she beat all bar Xtravagant in the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes at Te Rapa.

“Since then she has won another five races and kept going ahead,” Pitman said.

At her last appearance, First Serve accounted for five rivals at Waikouaiti on January 1.

“She didn’t beat much, but carried 62.5kg and won easily,” Pitman said. “She’s not the biggest mare and to win well with that weight was very encouraging.

”One of her strengths is that she can settle on the pace, but not use up much energy and still quicken. She can take bad luck out of the equation and I don’t think I’ve had a horse with better racing manners.”

Sam Wynne has ridden First Serve in all her races and there will be no change for a Group One assignment.

“Sam rides a lot of work for us, she is a very talented rider and has a first class attitude,” Pitman said.