The 2240-metre path to victory is all that stands between the select 12 and the Pryde's EasiFeed Victoria Cup.
How does the field for the $300,000 Group 1 feature stand up, let's take a closer look, with all the numbers and expert comment from form analyst Jason Bonnington.
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1 BETTER ECLIPSE
Record 31: 10-7-6
Stakes $501,110
Aus Group 1s 7: 2-1-1
Track/Distance 6: 2-0-1
Gate win% last 12 months 14.49%
Trainer Jess Tubbs
Driver Greg Sugars (Aus G1s 486: 51-55-54)
“Despite winning the Chariots of Fire and Sunshine Sprint at Group 1 level this term, Larajay Farm’s superstar 4YO still feels like a sleeping giant. The polemarking draw may prove a blessing or a curse. If it’s the former, he’s the one to beat.”
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2 EXPENSIVE EGO
Record 36: 22-5-1
Stakes $827,117
Aus Group 1s 14: 4-2-1
Track/Distance 1: 0-1-0
Gate win% last 12 months 11.63%
Trainer Belinda McCarthy
Driver Luke McCarthy (452: 76-51-57)
“Luke McCarthy has already driven three Vic Cup winners in his glittering career and says this guy matches all of them for talent. If he leads, as many expect, the race is on his racquet. If not, McCarthy will need to weave his magic.”
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3 SUPREME DOMINATOR (EMG)
Record 61: 15-12-9
Stakes $315,797
Aus Group 1s 4: 0-0-0
Track/Distance 10: 3-2-2
Gate win% last 12 months 8.76%
Trainer Joe Pace
Driver James Herbertson (57: 4-8-3)
“Joe Pace’s Cranbourne Cup champ hasn’t been at his best in recent starts and is better suited earlier in the card.“
4 ROCK N ROLL DOO
Record 28: 11-5-2
Stakes $224,150
Aus Group 1s 7: 1-0-0
Track/Distance 10: 3-2-0
Gate win% last 12 months 12.10%
Trainer Michael Stanley
Driver Michael Stanley (117: 6-14-6)
“Trainer/driver Mick Stanley has always said this guy was special and recent wins in the VHRC Caduceus Classic and Kilmore Cup have proven him correct. He’ll need a genuine tempo and perfect steer but can absolutely win if he gets them.”
5 HONOLUA BAY
Record 26: 17-1-2
Stakes $278,190
Aus Group 1s 3: 1-0-0
Track/Distance 10: 7-0-0
Gate win% last 12 months 14.29%
Trainer Emma Stewart
Driver David Moran (79: 17-12-8)
“Without question, the Vic Cup’s most telling tactical runner. If he rushes the gate and leads, they’ll be hard pressed running him down. If he rushes the gate and fails to cross, however, his night is done.”
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6 LIKE A WILDFIRE
Record 56: 21-13-5
Stakes $283,149
Aus Group 1s 4: 0-1-1
Track/Distance 10: 3-1-2
Gate win% last 12 months 9.54%
Trainer Emma Stewart
Driver Allan McDonough (13: 0-1-0)
“It would be wrong to judge Emma Stewart’s ultra-versatile veteran on his first-up failure, but even at his best he’ll need every imaginable favour to figure from this horrid alley.”
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7 TORRID SAINT
Record 119: 16-12-13
Stakes $304,710
Aus Group 1s 5: 0-0-0
Track/Distance 29: 3-5-3
Gate win% last 12 months 9.09%
Trainer Julie Douglas
Driver Jack Laugher (18: 1-1-2)
“Victoria’s most improved pacer has already enjoyed a stellar campaign, but gate seven has likely cruelled his pursuit of Group 1 glory tonight. His only chance is if he flies the arm and finds a peg-line position.”
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8 COPY THAT
Record 50: 25-8-4
Stakes $975,689
Aus Group 1s 4: 1-1-0
Track/Distance 1: 1-0-0
Gate win% last 12 months 9.44%
Trainer Ray Green
Driver Nathan Jack (256: 25-31-26)
“Ray Green’s New Zealand Cup champ arrived on Aussie soil with high hopes, but so far things just haven’t panned to plan. The soft draw may help him finish on the podium but winning here seems a forlorn task.”
9 BULLETPROOF BOY
Record 131: 31-19-12
Stakes $342,215
Aus Group 1s 1: 0-0-1
Track/Distance 29: 2-4-0
Gate win% last 12 months 10.43%
Trainer Scott Ewen
Driver Scott Ewen (10: 0-0-1)
“Arguably Victoria’s most popular and lovable pacer. Sadly, he’s been cursed by awful alleys this prep, and probably needed to draw gates one or eight if he was to be a genuine winning hope tonight.”
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10 MACH DAN
Record 47: 17-4-8
Stakes $561,485
Aus Group 1s 11: 2-0-2
Track/Distance 5: 2-1-0
Gate win% last 12 months 11.42%
Trainer Emma Stewart
Driver Mark Pitt (51: 10-3-6)
“Newcastle Mile king that hasn’t been seen under race conditions since a failed NZ campaign. He looks a bit-part player from the gate, but it might be Emma Stewart’s greatest ever effort if he wins.”
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11 TRIPLE EIGHT
Record 89: 20-15-18
Stakes $611,101
Aus Group 1s 12: 1-1-1
Track/Distance 7: 5-1-0
Gate win% last 12 months 7.10%
Trainer Jess Tubbs
Driver Bailey McDonough (9: 0-2-1)
“It’s been a while since we saw the best of this one-run sit-sprint star, but he was solid first-up from a break. If he’s carted up to the leaders off a crazy mid-race tempo stranger things have happened.”
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12 MACH SHARD
Record 70: 14-9-9
Stakes $534,727
Aus Group 1s 9: 1-0-2
Track/Distance 1: 1-0-0
Gate win% last 12 months 7.89%
Trainer Belinda McCarthy
Driver Jack Callaghan (47: 6-10-8)
“Another quality sit-sprinter not quite at his best. Like several here, he needed the perfect draw and the perfect circumstances to feature. He doesn’t have them tonight.”
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13 MAX DELIGHT
Record 64: 22-7-11
Stakes $767,640
Aus Group 1s 19: 3-1-3
Track/Distance 13: 5-2-2
Gate win% last 12 months 7.55%
Trainer David Aiken
Driver Chris Alford (786: 126-104-87)
“David Aiken’s reigning Vic Cup king couldn’t be racing better; had he drawn to lead and trail he’d be in the mix. Sadly, his hopes have been all but dashed by the unluckiest of all draws.”