The Golden Mile isn't the Doncaster but with the sun shining on Bendigo the betting looks good.
The feature pulls together a deep and interesting line up, bolstered by a couple that switch south looking to escape Sydney's wet weather.
They are I Am Superman and Riodini and they both sit at the front end of early markets which are headed by Flemington trainwreck Cherry Tortoni.
It seems it was decided a long time ago that Cherry was best ridden to make things as difficult as possible for him and a change in (bad) plans seems unlikely now from barrier 18.
That concedes a huge advantage to the two down from the Harbour City who both make their share of appeal. I Am Superman was the pick of the pair when the clashed in the Apollo back in February before the rains had hit and he had Riodini's measure in the 2020 Shannon Stakes over 1500m at Rosehill.
Two missed placings in as many tries over the trip in Australia might have the mile looking like Superman's kryptonite both both runs came in G1 handicaps where his ratings actually held up okay despite running 10th and 7th and he has won over the trip in good time back in Ireland.
The mile is where Riodini has thrived and his peaks in the Chelmsford and George Main in the spring are good enough to smash these up if it is as simple as bouncing straight back to his best on top of the ground but at slightly better prices it is I Am Superman who gets the nod.
We're hoping for another form reversal in the first on the card where $26 seems compensation enough to side with English King as he goes to 2400m for the first time in Australia.
His task isn't dissimilar to that of Riodini; below form in recent runs but with a string of past efforts that simply belt up on what is put in front of him on Saturday if rediscovered.
Granted it takes some real digging to find a hint of ressurection; but Easter is just around the corner...
English King has beaten just 11 of 54 rivals in Australia but his two runs this time around have been a bit better than his two in the spring and he now finds himself in far and away the easiest race he has contested since winning his maiden on the all weather at Newcastle back in the UK.
He gets to 2400m where he won the Lingfield Derby Trial well enough to be sent around 100/30 at Epsom and matched his form there, in the Gordon at Goodwood, and then in the Grand Prix at Paris. Well held in all but in the market in all and running ratings that sits miles clear of these in all.
THE MELBOURNE MAIL
Bet Of The Day: Race 8 #1 I Am Superman @ $8.00
Each Way Play: Race 1 #1 English King @ $26.00
