My top picks are fairly similar to everyone elses here it is hard to see a roughie winning this after the barrier draw.

Activation: My top pick even if it is by a very small margin all his runs this prep have been outstanding drawn beautifully here with a good jockey on board I think he was the better or Williams pair anyway personally.

Our Smoking Joe: Thrown in at the weights now he is drawn to get the absolute run of the race I actually think he might end up either 3 or 4 back on the fence if he gets clear running he will be extremely hard to hold out he is the one to beat.

Tawqeet: Loved his win in the Metrop he can settle in a handy sort of position and contrary to what those 2 Callendar idiots want to say he does have a nice turn of foot for a stayer and he should only be improved by his last run not sure if he is better than Activation at this trip though.

Railings: Last years winner owes me nothing after all those wins last spring and haven't laid a cent out on him this prep yet outside of a bet on the MC which I think will suit him more this year than this race will I think he is an outside chance here but he would need a red hot speed and a bit of luck.

Pop Rock: I respect the asian runners they have ability and they reckon this one is better than Eye Popper if that is the case it would be foolish to leave it out Oliver puts me off it a little never had any luck when he rides.

Ice Chariot: Reckon this bloke is the best roughie in the race the barrier hurts him alot but I expect to see a nice Melbourne Cup trial from this bloke his runs this prep have been pretty solid without being noticed by to many of the "experts"

I am staying away from both Sphenophyta and Growl here I think they may both struggle a little I might be wrong but I'll take my chance I question how strongly Sphenphyta runs out 2400m and just not sure this is the right prep for Growl another year maybe.