Balraj is the most likely raider to spoil the locals party and claim the Pryde's EasiFeed Victoria Cup, says Luke McCarthy in the wake of today's game-changing draw.

The reinsman joined SENTrack this morning and declared the polemarker the best chance of his and Craig Cross's five runners, who all drew on the front row.

Asked by Talking Trots on Track host Jason Bonnington who was his best chance, McCarthy replied "from the draw, Balraj, no doubt, his form's super".

"We've all seen how good he is off the speed," McCarthy said. "I was surprised that he beat King Of Swing that last start, they got home in 52.6, I think his own (last) quarter was 25.2. They just can't go any quicker than that.

"He can do the work, has got speed, he's got the draw, he's going to probably be behind the leader. I'd say on paper he looks the best chance."

McCarthy said the gate one draw would enable Balraj to ping out and then decide which heavyweight to hand up too.

"He can stride out and hold the lead and I'd presume he'd only want to sit on Lochinvar Art or King Of Swing," he said. "They would be the two horses who would hold the front.

"He's got the draw, he's entitled to gas out and sit on one of the favoured runners. I was hoping King drew better than (Lochinvar Art), but he looks to have that advantage, he looks like he will probably be able to work to the lead."

Lochinvar Art will start from gate four in a Cross-McCarthy sandwich, with Balraj and reigning champ Bling It On (gate three) on his inside and Alta Orlando, Cash N Flow and King Of Swing on his outside.

McCarthy said he would "try and work out tonight" who would drive each of the Cross runners, with much hinging on whether he could get clearance to travel to Victoria and then return to New South Wales without having to quarantine.

He said it was "looking pretty good" and "hopefully it gets the go ahead this week".

If he gets the all clear, he would likely partner King Of Swing, and said "Johnny Caldow will definitely drive one, I presume he will drive Cash N Flow, because he has driven him before".

"Anythony Butt's going to drive one, and we'll just work out which one Ants drives depending on (whether) I can come or not. And then it will flow on through the others over the next day.

"We'll try and work that out tonight just to let the public now as soon as we can."

HEAR THE FULL INTERVIEW OF LUKE MCCARTHY ON SENTRACK:

More on the Pryde's EasiFeed Victoria Cup:

>>  Lochinvar Art draws 4, Craig Cross 5 on front row

>> Picture clearer or hazier post-draw?

>> Bill Collins: Mares hold the cards in Group 1 sprint draw