Pakenham hosts the $120,000 Browns Sawdust and Shavings Cup which is shaping as an open contest.
A field of ten contest the event after the scratchings of Velox and High Midnight.
Both horses were expected to be key players in the event so we need to now look elsewhere for the winner.
Improving with each run this campaign is the Mike Moroney-trained Extra Noble who lines up here off a closing third at Caulfield last start.
The gelding is embarking on his second Australian campaign since arriving from the UK and his time Down Under has so far been encouraging.
Extra Noble has produced continued improvement with each of his five starts with his latest returning a Timeform rating of 101.
This comes in just three pounds shy of a master Timeform rating of 104 run to when placing behind subsequent UK Group winner Cannock Chase in the London Gold Cup (2012m) at Newbury in May 2014.
The UK import rates highly amongst this field after that last start showing on weight adjusted ratings and in theory should be approaching peak fitness fourth run from a spell.
Rising to 2000m should be ideal and in form hoop Patrick Moloney takes the ride for the first time.
The gelding is expected to be prominent throughout and take beating.
Gallante also contests the Browns Sawdust and Shavings fourth run from a spell.
His runs so far this campaign have produced mixed results with his best a one paced tenth in the Group 2 Hill Stakes at Randwick.
The entire drops in grade for this and is another who should be approaching optimum fitness at this point of his campaign.
Genuine Lad is also mixing form this campaign and last start failed to beat a runner home as one of the favourites in the JRA Cup.
The start prior the son of Ladoni placed in the Group 3 Foundation Cup (2000m) at Caulfield.
When it comes to major country cup events through Victoria, Darren Weir can never be ignored and he saddles up two runners.
Tooleybuc Kid showed good improvement second up at Murtoa while Our Voodoo Prince is holding form well in three starts for the stable since arriving from Rosehill where trained by Chris Waller.
Of the ten contesting the Browns Sawdust and Shavings Cup at Pakenham on Thursday, the greatest sense of timing looks to be around the Mike Moroney-trained Extra Noble.
