Champion Melbourne jockey Craig Williams will ride Godolphin colt Encryption one kilogram over his allocated 50kg in the Group One Oakleigh Plate.
The James Cummings-trained Encryption is one of two three-year-old colts, the other being Charge, on 50kg in Saturday’s 1100m handicap at Caulfield which has a capacity field of 18 plus four emergencies.
Exciting sprinter Nature Strip, winner of nine of his 13 starts, was the $2.20 favourite on Wednesday to win his first Group One race.
The four-year-old gelding, recent winner of the Group Two Rubiton Stakes, was the only runner at single figure odds after drawing barrier five.
Encryption finished third to Oakleigh Plate rival Bons Away and fellow three-year-old colt Written By in the Listed W J Adams Stakes at Caulfield on February 2 and the well-bred sprinter is chasing a valuable Group One win on Saturday.
He is a son of 11-time Group One winner Lonhro out of four-time Group One winner Guelph whose elite level victories included the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.
Encryption’s biggest win from 13 starts is the Group Two Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
His best results from four attempts at Group One level are fifth placings in the Blue Diamond on the corresponding program last year and the Coolmore Stud Stakes last spring.
“He’s a wonderfully bred colt,” Cummings said.
“He ran third against the older horses first-up in a really good lead-up to the Oakleigh Plate.
“I’d love to see in a big bunched finish where something is flying along late, Encryption being the one because it would just be massive for his page to have a Group One next to his name.”
Cups Betting has all the latest horse racing news and betting bonuses.