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Even if on paper, the odds are stacked against Singapore Gold Cup title defender Elite Invincible pulling off a record not achieved in 10 years, trainer Mark Walker said a few things are in his corner this time.

Last year, the Irish-bred son of Archarcharch beat his lukewarm odds of $60 and an outermost alley in 16 to spring a mini-upset in the $1 million Group 1 Dester Singapore Gold Cup (2000m).

It was not just the gallant win under Benny Woodworth that surprised almost all on course, even Walker, but it was the manner in which he uncharacteristically rolled forward from the wide gate, and never stopped.

He has again drawn out (uncannily 19 once more, but will probably drop to 15 after the scratchings), but his handler said he must this time surmount one major hurdle in order to ring up a rare back-to-back Gold Cup double last achieved by El Dorado (2008 and 2009, and he again won in 2011) – lack of form.

However slim his chances may seem to be, his New Zealand handler has picked up a few positives that keep the dream alive, especially for the Elite Performance Stable, who are already disappointed they were not better represented after the Cliff Brown-trained Elite Excalibur and Elite Quarteto came out.

"He has drawn wide again, it'll be hard from that barrier. Yes, he drew wide last year, but he is not in the same form this year," said Walker.

"He's had a tough year and I think it's because he hasn't measured up to weight-for-age races.

"But the fact he's dropping to handicap (54.5kgs) might bring him back with some sort of a chance this time.

"He used to prefer a firm track, but he won the Gold Cup on a wet track last year. Maybe it's because older horses tend to like the jar out of the track.

"I also liked his grass gallop yesterday. I would say he is in a better form than he was in before the QEII Cup.

"The blinkers are back on and he will be ridden forward."

South African jockey Juan Paul van der Merwe, who has partnered the five-year-old gelding at his last two unplaced starts in the first two Legs of the Singapore Triple Crown series, the Group 1 Raffles Cup over 1600m (fifth, only just over one length off the winner Makanani and the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Cup over 1800m (11th to I'm Incredible), was aboard during the Wednesday track gallop.

"He worked well. He was on the bit and felt strong, but it'll be a big ask," said van der Merwe.

Walker's second runner Sacred Croix did a similar turf hit-out that also brought some peace of mind after his last-start sixth to stablemate Yulong Edition in a Class 2 race over the mile on October 6.

On paper, that run might have looked deflating for a horse who had finished out of the money only once at his previous 17 starts then, but Walker is more than prepared to dismiss it.

"I backed him up after his previous run (flashing fifth to Grand Koonta in a Class 2 race over six furlongs) as I didn't want to run him in the QEII Cup," he reasoned.

"Basically, I was worried he would run sensationally well and gain too many points. I always thought he would have his best chance on a minimum weight, and now he's got 50.5kgs, which is nice.

"I also backed him up to harden him up for the Gold Cup. It's still a question mark whether he stays as he seems to be one of those Savabeel sprinter-milers.

"He also needs a dry track. He didn't go as we expected in the Derby as it was wet that day.

"He is also drawn (seven) to get a run, and Benny knows him well and I'm sure will give him a great ride. Benny could win on a broomstick these days."

With an unassailable lead of 17 winners (71 versus Michael Clements' 54), Walker is all but home for a third Singapore champion trainer title, but strangely, the all-conquering trainer has not popped the champagne at a single feature race this season. His last big-race win was actually Elite Invincible's Gold Cup triumph last November.

Should the Gold Cup prove elusive this year, he still has another chance to beat the jinx in a Group race this weekend, Friday night's $400,000 Group 2 EW Barker Trophy (1400m) in which he saddles another Elite runner, Elite Power.

"Elite Power has drawn nicely (in three) and is drawn to get a good run - and he also has Vlad (Duric) on him," said Walker.

"He has come right down in the weights on 54.5kgs. Vlad said he can make the weight.

"He put in a huge run at his last start (nose second to Yabadabadoo) but that was in much easier company (Class 2 race over 1400m). I expect him to run in the first four."