Always been one of my favourite races. Anyone got any early thoughts on who they think will win? So far, there have been 16 nominations which are:

1 APACHE CAT: Think he needs 1400m now that he is older.
2 DANLEIGH: Same thoughts as Apache Cat although has a good turn of foot.
3 DUPORTH: Apparently been flying in trackwork but never seems to bring his talent to the track.
4 GOLD SALUTE: A good hope if he hasn't injured himself.
5 LUCKY SECRET: Liked his win in Sydney and he should be suited by MV. 1200 maybe the only concern?
6 MIC MAC: Not sure if the horse is suited to 1200. Got alot of class but won't get an easy lead.
7 NICCONI: At this early stage, here is my tip. Very impressive the way he swamped them 1st up even though in a much easier race.
8 PHELAN READY: Was scratched last weekend and just struggling a little with form at the moment.
9 RUSSETING: Should stick to the Fillies and Mares races.
10 SECRET FLYER: Not sure if he is up to Group 1 level.
11 SEQUENTIAL CHARM: No chance
12 SOLO FLYER: Not sure if he is genuine Group 1 horse and 1400m his ideal distance IMO.
13 SWIFT ALLIANCE: Flaying at the moment. He's my second pick behind Nicconi.
14 TURFFONTEIN: Will be backing up after the weekend. Don't think the drop back to 1200 suits but he will be a big chance with a good run.
15 TYPHOON ZED: Not going well enough.
16 WANTED: Not sure if he can win up against the older horses but wouldn't be surprised if he fills the placings

I have included my thoughts on each of them above. Feel free to post your comments.

Lucky Secret is the one for mine, loves the track and unbeaten track and distance. Unbeaten second up and obviously flying as seen with its win on the weekend. Not much pace so should lead them up or be at least sitting just outside the leader and be a little to hard to run down.

Nicconi was definitely super impressive last start so I'm not game to label LS a certainty.

do you realise BRETT PREBBLE has the mount on lucky secret and taken mounts during the meeting

Theres a few international jockeys that will ride on Friday night. Anyay, there is a final field of 13:

1 APACHE CAT Greg Eurell Damien Oliver 12 58.5 122
2 DUPORTH Anthony Cummings Luke Nolen 9 58.5 106
3 DANLEIGH Chris Waller Kerrin McEvoy 1 58.5 114
4 TURFFONTEIN Anthony Cummings Glen Boss 13 58.5 108
5 LUCKY SECRET Tony Vasil Brett Prebble 11 58.5 112
6 NICCONI David Hayes Craig Williams 6 58.5 109
7 MIC MAC Greg Eurell Danny Nikolic 4 58.5 112
8 SOLO FLYER Anthony Cummings Douglas Whyte 10 58.5 108
9 SWIFT ALLIANCE Gai Waterhouse Blake Shinn 7 58.5 105
10 SECRET FLYER Mark Young Steven Arnold 3 58.5 103
11 RUSSETING Bart Cummings Michael Rodd 2 56.5 104
12 PHELAN READY Jason McLachlan Stathi Katsidis 8 52 105
13 WANTED Peter G Moody Craig Newitt 5 52 91

Lucky Secret drawn badly so Mic Mac will probably lead from barrier four with Swift Alliance just behind it along with Wanted. Probably close to the perfect draw with Nicconi as Williams won't be caught up on the inside nor will he have to go right back from a wide gate.

TAB Sportsbet Market

35236 NICCONI $4.00 $1.70
35237 MIC MAC $4.40 $1.80
35235 LUCKY SECRET $4.80 $1.89
35231 APACHE CAT $7.50 $2.52
35239 SWIFT ALLIANCE $9.00 $2.88
35240 SECRET FLYER $10.00 $3.11
35233 DANLEIGH $16.00 $4.52
35243 WANTED $16.00 $4.52
35232 DUPORTH $18.00 $5.00
35242 PHELAN READY $26.00 $6.88
35234 TURFFONTEIN $31.00 $8.05
35238 SOLO FLYER $41.00 $10.41
35241 RUSSETING $51.00 $12.76

Reckon Swift Alliance is great odds at $9. Perhaps Duporth at $18 also worth an each way flutter.

Really tough race. Lot of up and coming youngsters who arent completely proven and older horses trying to defend their records. Lucky Secret is my tip for the race. great record the t/d and the prebble factor could be huge. ran a great second in the oakleigh and i think will deservve to win one against better opposition. Swift Alliance definitely a dannger and well priced. Apache, Nicconi and Mic Mac the obvious dangers

nicconi deserves to be favourite and i agree and think he can win. Not sure if swift alliance is up to these, but is flying. If apache runs a good race, he will be in the finish for sure, but mixing his fresh form of late. A good race to watch i think or maybe have a few multis. Too open for me, and im not that prepared to back something to see apache run a bottler and win.
great race, just hope the weather doesnt spoil it

Latest TAB Sportsbet market suggests Lucky Secret the only horse to attract signifcant support into $4.60 from $4.80. Everything else has remained at the same odds and lengthened.

I am on Apache he is to good to overlook at the odds I know he hasn't been that great fresh of late but I also wonder how much work Eurell had put into at that point aswell being that he had other aims this time around I think we see a different horse, being drawn outside helps him alot aswell he should be able to sit back off a good speed up front and finish off hard he hates to be inside horses and this should take that away sitting midfiled maybe 3 deep with cover would be perfect for him.

As much as I am a fan of Eurells other horse Mic Mac and probably will have a saver on him Apache is the one they all have to beat.

Just in other interesting betting info, the Lee Freedman trained Sound of Nature has been backed off the map in the Bill Ritchie and Epsom.