Cylinder is the horse to beat, and how could he not be? He won his first two races this prep while still building his fitness, and really should have won the Golden Rose if not for a bit of bad luck at the wrong stage. He followed that up by being beaten just over a length in the world’s best sprint, The Everest. Ahead of him that day were Think About It, I Wish I Win, Private Eye and In Secret (who won this race last year). It’s a murderer’s row of sprinters, and now Cylinder drops back to his own age group.

It might be tough to swallow $3.50 in a 19 horse field thundering down the Flemington straight, especially for a horse that hasn’t raced there, but Cylinder might just be better than them.

Stretan Angel appeals as the main danger, despite her $13 quote, given her last two starts down the straight. She simply savaged the line from near last in the Cap D’Antibes, and followed it up with a gusty win in the Danehill when ridden more forward. In a bigger field, she might be ridden more quietly, which can allow her to be more dynamic.

King’s Gambit disappointed down the straight when sent out $2.90 favourite in the Posiedon, well beaten by Archo Nacho and I Am Unstoppable. But he led on that occasion, when he is far better off taking a sit, which he did to win the Roman Consul at Rosehill last start.

The best bolter is Butch Cassidy, who has been just shaded by Cylinder at his last two starts, in the Golden Rose and Run to the Rose. He just keeps racing well, and can be a presence at 40-1.

Selections: 1.Cylinder 2.Stretan Angel 3.King’s Gambit 4.Butch Cassidy