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The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable has a stranglehold on staying races at Flemington which Mick Kent hopes to break.

Trainer Mick Kent knows too well the strength of stayer in the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable. 

Kent has Royal Crown engaged in the Flemington Cup 1849 (2800m) and having been beaten by one at his last start faces up to another on Saturday. 

After winning over 2600m at Werribee on June 27, Royal Crown went on to run second to Grand Promenade over 2600m at Flemington on July 3. 

Grand Promenade won't be in attendance on Saturday, but South Pacific is, a winner over 2540m at Flemington at the previous meeting on June 19. 

"Grand Promenade's not running but South Pacific is, and he's just as good," Kent said. 

"But Royal Crown's drawn a nice gate, he's going well. He likes a bit of cut in the ground, so this is his time of year and he looks like he'll really stay." 

While not running scared of South Pacific, Kent is well aware of the stayer's presence and is weighing up whether to hold the stayer back a week to run in the VOBIS Gold Stayers (2400m) on Saturday week. 

Both races carry $150,000 in prize money, however the Caulfield race has an additional $23,000 in VOBIS bonus money attached. 

"I've just got to weight it all up," Kent said. 

"There is the VOBIS Gold Stayers at Caulfield the following week which is worth more money, and it might be three classes less, but I haven't had a good look yet. 

"We'd want to be pretty confident that he'd run pretty well if he's to run on Saturday. 

"We're very keen to have a crack at this race, but we're also very mindful of that race next Saturday. 

"If he had drawn bad, we would be definitely going to Caulfield." 

Royal Crown is second favourite with TAB at $7 while South Pacific is the pronounced $2 top elect.