But has he been trained for this or something longer?

Master O'Reilly, the Caulfield Cup winner last year, is resuming after a spell, usually not the best circumstance for today's 1600m. However, first-up last spring the gelding was a close second to Rubiscent over the same journey at Caulfield and next time out scored on the corresponding day at Flemington. Now a six-year-old Master O'Reilly has won eight from 21 starts and at his most recent race was eighth over the Morphettville 1600m, beaten only 1.8 lengths, in May when also returning from a break.

Dealer Principal has had the benefit of a recent race, hardly an arduous assignment: ninth to Scenic Blast on August 16 over the Caulfield 1600m. Statisticians are stressing he ran the fastest 400m on the program. Why wouldn't he? Dealer Principal gave so much start, did so little early, he lost sight of the lure. But the gelding previously has shown vast improvement second-up, and 1600m is more in his firing line.

Of Weekend Hussler trainer Ross McDonald stressed: "The more he races, the better he gets."

VERDICT: Weekend Hussler on top but the short odds don't appeal. The bet is a straight trifecta: Weekend Hussler, Light Fantastic and Dealer Principal.

GOOD LORD: The former Kiwi galloper Lord Tavistock will be out to justify his boom in the Henry Bucks Best Dressed Plate, one of the Flemington races for three-year-olds bristling with talent.

Lord Tavistock, by Montjeu, generally a sire of class stayers, produced an extraordinary second to Fernandina over the unsuitably short 1100m at Caulfield on August 16. He extends to 1400m on the bigger circuit, but takes on a tough assignment with Minnesota Shark, among others, ready to extend him.

VERDICT: Lord Tavistock is the real deal.

WELL RELATED: Obviously, the gallant Aichi in the Danehill Stakes at Flemington will give an indication how Sydney three-year-olds compare with their Melbourne counterparts. Aichi comes from a close second to Dreamscape at Warwick Farm but the Flemington race looks more difficult considering the ability of Augusta Proud and Exceedingly Good as well as the potential of Related, Nicconi and Time Thief.

VERDICT: In "straight six" sprints, horses drawn out are often advantaged. Related is coming from the rails but I'll still gamble on him.

GALLANT TIP: "I think the conditions will suit my mare," trainer David Payne predicted about Gallant Tess in the Chelmsford at Royal Randwick, where the root system is weak and the surface expected to chop up after heavy rain yesterday.

Payne knows what is required for the weight-for-age event because he has won it twice with mares - Unearthly (2004) and Nevis (2005). Also he has a good line on hot favourite Triple Honour as Hurried Choice, prepared by him, was in touch with Triple Honour at the finish of the Premiere Stakes, 1200m, on August 16. Although Triple Honour is lightly framed, going up to today's 1600m will be testing. And Gallant Tess ran Racing To Win to a short neck over the 1400m at Warwick Farm two weeks back, a better credential in my opinion. Triple Honour has a tendency to hang, and trainer Chris Waller has taken the blinkers off him to rectify the problem. According to Payne, who saw his recent trial without them, it didn't work. "He was laying in over the latter stages," Payne pointed out.

VERDICT: Gallant Tess .

X MARKS THE SPOT: The Victorian Gotta Have Heart, a leader, could make it difficult for Bank Robber in the Tramway Quality at Randwick. Bank Robber was given a free lunch in front over the Warwick Farm 1200m on August 23.

Maybe Blake Shinn on Bank Robber will take a sit but this didn't work on the gelding two starts back. The anticipated speed will suit Xavier, wide and third to Red Lord over the Rosehill 1500m on August 16. Bank Robber holds a decision over him but circumstances could favour Xavier here.

VERDICT: Bart Cummings wasn't happy with the Dan Nikolic ride on Xavier last start. The jockey will be out to make amends.