I agree...this would have to be one of the most anticipated races in recent memory. With such a small field there will be no donkeys to get in the way and every horse should have their chance.

With the small field there will no doubt be a lack of pace, as you say EI, it will come down to a battle of tactics. Under those conditions it is extremely difficult to separate them. All three can run sensational time relative to a slow early pace. Even old Shogun Lodge at his very best can match it with them when the early pace is slow.

Sunline's best hope is if she leads and actually sets a genuine pace. She has shown greater overall speed ability than any of the others at this stage and the more solid the pace the more overall speed ability becomes important. However a slow pace results in a slower time and it comes down to pure turn of foot and sprinting ability over 600m or so. As I said, all three are oustanding and about equal in this area.

If I had to make a call this early on, I would be sticking with Sunline. A world class 1600m horse who has the runs on the board. Most importantly, with the hype of the other two horses she is likely to start at a price we haven't seen for a number of years.