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

Well Danleigh certainly showed the turn of foot. Now need a few results to go my way to get the quaddie

Im just trying to work out how I backed danleigh e/w but didnt have him in my quaddie....lol woops

I also ended up having 10 e/w on Danleigh it was a real hard race for me though with so many horses i have followed in the past Apache Cat, Mic Mac, Danleigh, Phelan Ready so i ended up boxing them all up in a quinella for a dollar so that was a nice result for me aswell. I didn't think i could throw $100 on Apache Cat have him not win and still win on the race his ru was amazing he was gone on the turn and really stormed home he has shown a dislike for that moonee valley turn before probably cost him the race last night.