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The Might And Power Stakes makes up one of three Group 1 races this Saturday at Caulfield.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
Formerly known as the Caulfield Stakes, the 2000m staying test features an impressive honour roll of past winners, including So You Think, mighty mare Winx, and last year's winner, Anamoe.
Fan favourite Alligator Blood has been installed at a short price atop the market, leaving good value on offer for stablemate Just Fine following his last-start win in The Metropolitan.
Will the Waterhouse and Bott team prevail? Or could we see an upset from the likes of Duais?
Our thoughts on every runner in this year's Might And Power field can be found here!
1. Alligator Blood (3)
Alligator Blood was an easy watch three weeks ago in the Underwood, tracking the speed early behind Alenquer before shifting through the gears nicely all the way down the straight.
The race was basically over at the 100m mark, the Waterhouse and Bott gelding going on to win his fifth Group 1 by a length in the end.
Caulfield has been kind to the son of All Too Hard throughout his career, while his winless record over 2000m is slightly misleading when you consider he finished two lengths behind Anamoe in both the Caulfield Stakes and the Cox Plate last year.
Drawn barrier 3, he should go straight to the front again and like always, prove very hard to catch.
2. Vow And Declare (8)
It's been close to a year since Vow and Declare won the Zipping Classic, and on recent form, another win hardly seems imminent.
He was clearly wanting further on return when beaten 4.5 lengths in the Underwood a few weeks ago, but he still didn't show much in the run home.
Stepping up to 2000m is a plus, but it's still short of his best.
3. Nonconformist (5)
Nonconformist gave good chase between a pair of runners second-up in the Underwood, but it's tough to know if he's still up to racing at Group 1 level.
On the plus side, he did make up decent ground after being caught three-wide, and he has run some huge races over 2000m – most notably in this same race a couple of years ago.
Can he win? Unlikely, but a top three spot wouldn't shock either.
4. Alenquer (7)
Alenquer went around at triple figures in the Underwood, leading for most of the journey before being swallowed up over the final 200m.
Where he finished suggests he raced much worse than he actually did, and like others, he's sure to improve getting out to his preferred trip where he's won twice in the past.
The French import is fitter now second-up, and with the blinkers coming off for the first time, he's worth including in exotics if he gets forward early and this turns into a sprint.
5. Hezashocka (9)
It's been well over a year since Hezashocka last won a race, and on recent form, you might wonder why he isn't longer in the market.
That said, he's had genuine excuses from horror gates in both runs back this prep, while it's worth noting he was only three lengths off Dubai Honour when fourth in the Queen Elizabeth earlier in the year.
Barrier 9 is against him again, but if there's some rain about, expect the quote to shorten.
6. Just Fine (4)
With a Group 1 win in The Metrop now on his resume, the sky is the limit for the Waterhouse and Bott-trained Just Fine.
The six-year-old was well-backed two weeks ago when winning only narrowly, locked up along the fence rounding the turn before finding daylight to race past Spirit Ridge in a ding-dong battle to the line.
Off that, 2400m appears to be his absolute limit, so this step back to 2000m fourth-up looks like a really nice setup.
Jordan Childs takes over from a soft gate, and although he's carrying 9kg's extra this time, his class makes him the main danger to stablemate Alligator Blood.
7. Forgot You (6)
He's not often thought of as a Group 1 horse, but Forgot You has run some big races at this level in the past.
The Savabeel entire was a distant third to Anamoe in the Rosehill Guineas last year and fifth in the Victoria Derby the season prior, but his recent efforts against weaker company have been mixed.
To his credit, he showed real improvement to finish runner-up at Sandown a couple of weeks, overcoming a wide run in transit to hit the line hard.
Still, this is tougher, and he'd probably appreciate some rain about.
8. Lindermann (1)
Lindermann caused a boil-over when winning the Rosehill Guineas earlier in the autumn, but he's struggled to replicate that same form since.
That same win did come over 2000m, but he was only fair to the line when beaten three lengths in the Underwood last time out.
The inside gate and fitness are now on his side though, and if Joao Moreira can get him to settle in the run this time, he might go close.
9. Duais (10)
Duais has been a frustrating mare to back over the last 12 months, but her best is certainly good enough to win a race like this.
She finally showed some promise when third in the Underwood last month, giving away a start but really knuckling down to run some good late splits.
Where she lands out of the gates is the key to her chances, and she does appear in capable hands with Blake Shinn taking the reins for the first time.
10. Deny Knowledge (2)
Deny Knowledge won a fillies and mares race here at Caulfield early last year, and she's since returned to form winning first-up at The Valley.
She held her own for third in the Stocks Stakes behind the impressive Amelia's Jewel a couple of weeks ago, a performance that suggested she might be wanting longer now.
A top five finish wouldn't shock, but given this is her first start at Group 1 level, a win seems unlikely.
