My final field below. Tough year because of how even the racing has been, we haven't had a standout sprinter but very excited for the race. Striker Light- Sprinter of the year, two group 1's, 10 group finals, great win last week in a heat of the Adelaide Cup. Should be the first one picked if you are going by its past 12 months of racing. 5 starts at the track for 1 win Best time at track- (29:91). $443K in prizemoney #2 in AGRA rankings Bewildering- Has been a star this year without winning a group 1. Has only won once at the meadows over the trip but is a winner of two group races and the feature Speedstar- -has to be one of the first picked. Best time at track- (29:82) #14 AGRA rankings Ando's Mac- Confirmed it's place on Thursday night in a heat of the Melbourne Cup prelude in a super 29:29. 9 time group race finalist, 3 group wins, 2 group 1's, Melbourne Cup winner. 8 starts at track for 2 wins- Best time at track- (29:92) #11 AGRA rankings Lightning Frank- Has won two group 1's (both at the track), 5 Group finals, recently returned from injury, 10 starts at the track for 6 wins. Track specialist, best time here is mind blowing- should go straight in. Best time at track- (29:53) $305K prizemoney #4 AGRA rankings Aqua Cheetah- Recent group 1 winner at Dapto, 2 time group 1 winner, 7 group finals, 10 starts at the track for 1 win- Best time at track- (29:69). $302K in prizemoney #7 Agra rankings Mister Twister- 3 time group finalist and winner of a group 1. Has never been to Melbourne but has amassed $321K in prizemoney in Sydney and should get a start #8 AGRA rankings Aston Dee Bee- Wins often and always very competitive but another one who is yet to win a group race. Just gets a start because of the sheer volume of group finals it has made. It has an amazing win rate and I don't think a group win is far away but it doesn't yet have the group resume of some of the other starters. 6 starts for 2 wins at the track Best time at track- (29:74) #37 AGRA rankings Raw Ability- Adelaide Cup winners usually go straight in. Two time group finalist only but group 1's are the hardest to win and may have been lucky enough to book its spot last night. Only 2 starts at the track for 2 wins- Best time at track- (29:99) $127K prizemoney #142 AGRA rankings Emergencies- Jury- A bit stiff if you have won the national but you miss a spot but only made two group finals in a short career. Is yet to see Melbourne, $127k in prizemoney #19 AGRA rankings Zara's Entity- Flying machine with a heap of upside. Left it out because it doesn't yet have the runs on the board at group level. Winner of a group 3 but unplaced in only group 1 start. A lot more upside than most nominated but still too early and inexperienced to warrant a start IMO #73 AGRA rankings
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