Alligator Blood gets the chance to control the race from a perfect draw, while Zaaki will press forward too. Mr Brightside will certainly hold a position from an inside draw, Romantic Warrior wants a box seat position and James McDonald should be able to make that happen, while My Oberon could sit second or third pair from a kind gate. The flies in the ointment will be Militarize and King Colorado – they may want to make use of their light weights and also find a position near the speed.

Duais, Pinstriped, Fangirl and Gold Trip will be ridden patiently and hope they overdo it upfront, but if not we could see a repeat of 2005 and Makybe Diva’s famous “wall of horses” with horses taking off early, and Gold Trip would be the one most likely to make that work in his favour. Victoria Road was slowly away in his Group 1 win, and could end up awkwardly placed if he does so again here.

There’s a strong case to say Gold Trip could be the best horse in this race, he’s had a run at the Valley already this prep, and he’ll be strong at the end of 2040m when a few in the field are yet to be proven at it.

If Alligator Blood produces the same performance on Saturday as he did two weeks ago when a dominant winner of the Caulfield Stakes, he’ll be right in the race.

Romantic Warrior is one of six horses in the field that hasn’t raced at Moonee Valley before, and mounting yard judges as well as the stable have said the horse will improve significantly from the Turnbull. The barrier draw will give him a good chance to assume a box seat position and have no excuses.

Mr Brightside gets the chance run out a strong 2040m now, and was perhaps looking for it last start. He’s certainly a better horse than he was last spring, and the extra year of training should help him too.

Selections: 1.Gold Trip 2.Alligator Blood 3.Romantic Warrior 4.Mr Brightside