Between trainers Kris Lees and Chris Waller they have almost half the field for the Coolmore Classic but none of their combined seven runners are in the top three market leaders.
The Hawkes Racing-trained Dawn Dawn and Sweet Deal from the John Thompson stable are the equal $4.40 favourites with Godolphin’s Pohutukawa ($5.50) the only other runner under double figures on race eve.
The three mares filled the placings in the recent Group Two Guy Walter Stakes when Dawn Dawn beat Sweet Deal and Pohutukawa with the margins a short half head and a short head.
Pohutukawa’s trainer James Cummings is hoping to reverse the short margins in Saturday’s 1500m-Group One feature which is going ahead with precautionary measures in place regarding hygiene and patron safety in light of the coronavirus.
“On one hand, she hasn’t won for 12 months, but on the other it means she is well weighted in this race,” Cummings said.
“She’s also gone close in a Group One during that time.
“And her two runs this time in have been solid. Last start she surged home in the Guy Walter in what was a very encouraging run.”
Pohutukawa ran a short half head second to Invincibella in the Group One Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm in June.
She ran third in the first of her two starts this campaign in the Group Three Triscay Stakes won by Sweet Deal.
Of the Lees runners, the trainer is hoping the predicted rain comes in time for El Dorado Dreaming with the track in the soft range on Friday.
“We would prefer a wet track and it does look that way,” Lees said.
“We should get a bit of give in the ground which could help.”
Invincible Gem will carry topweight of 58kg, half a kilo more than Sweet Deal, and has to contend with the widest barrier in the 16-horse field.
“She’s not a big mare and being topweight, it depends how much work she has to do to get across,” Lees said.
“It is what it is but she’s going well.
“Delectation Girl is on the back-up from a really good run for second in the Newmarket and if she can repeat that she’s in contention.
“Miss Fabulass is always capable.”
Waller will saddle Noire, Fiesta and Sweet Scandal in the race for fillies and mares.