The fate of a number of Melbourne Cup hopefuls will be decided with today's Group 3 Geelong Cup (race 7) at Geelong.
The race has continued to grown in strength in recent years, particularly as international horses here for the Cup find it either as a useful lead-up to Flemington's feature or a last ditch effort to ensure a run in the race.
This year is no different with a few visitors and also a couple of imports now based in Australia.
But the race looks perfect for a local galloper in the Robert Hickmott-trained Tanby, who can bring up his biggest career wins in the race and keep his Melbourne Cup hopes at least alive.
Tanby, raced by Lloyd Williams, is currently 56th in order of entry for the Melbourne Cup and not only needs to win today but needs a decent penalty from Racing Victoria Handicapper Greg Carpenter to lift him off his 50kg handicap to make the line-up.
Tanby, a son of Galileo, is typically lightly-raced coming from this stable but has shown terrific ability and looks hard to beat over the 2400m journey today.
Finding 1400m to sharp fresh he improved second-up over 1700m in the Heatherlie Handicap, running on for third, before stepping up to a suitable 2500m at Moonee Valley and proving far too good with an easy win.
Last start was the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes and after sitting just off the speed, ran on well to finish runner-up to another progressive stayer in Shewan.
Tanby drops in weight today to just 53kg and will be ridden by Steven King, replacing the suspended Nick Hall.
The trip suits, he has drawn well, and with a good run just off the speed should prove the one to beat.
Comeback galloper Bauer turned in a terrific effort at his first run back in Australia and looks a serious contender again.
The nine-year-old grey won the race in 2008 which elevated him into the Cup where he was just beaten by Viewed.
After winning his most recent run abroad Bauer ran in the Herbert Power Stakes and after getting well back ran on well for a 2.9 length sixth.
On that run he should go close here again as he heads towards another tilt at the Cup.
Another international is the French-trained Dunaden, who makes his Australian debut in the race.
Following a more common trend among the visiting horses, the Mikel Delzangles-trained Dunaden is looking to emulate fellow French-trained galloper Americain, who won this race last year before going on to win the Melbourne Cup at his next start.
The six-year-old is a winner of six races to 3082m but his form at 2400m is excellent, having won two and placed four time from six runs.
Craig Williams takes the ride and he rates strongly on his form over the last 12 months, which includes a Group 3 win and some strong weight-for-age form.
The Anthony Cummings-trained Red Eye Special is a former Kiwi who is going well this campaign and he should run a good race with his light weight.
The gelding was a second-up winner before finishing runner-up in the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality then a solid fifth in the Group 1 The Metropolitan.
With his light weight and good draw today jockey Chris Symons will have him close to the speed and he'll be tough to hold out at the finish on his last run.
Above Average, a former UK galloper, and the Kiwi Showcause, both ran well in the Bart Cummings and are ready to win after three runs from a spell.
