Trainer Mick Price will run smart sprinting mare Bel Mer in Saturday's G1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley despite her horror draw.
The news means rival trainer David Hayes will have to look elsewhere for the scratching which will get his leading fancy Red Element, the first emergency, into the field.
Price had been contemplating scratching Bel Mer after she drew the extreme outside in the 14-horse field but decided against it.
"Group Ones aren't run every Saturday," Price said.
Jockey Danny Nikolic will be instructed to push forward from the draw in the hope the pace is fast enough for Bel Mer to slot in and get a trail like she did when victorious last start over 1100m at Caulfield a fortnight ago.
"I think the same applies here that there'll be good pace on and if they bust up she'll get the run of the race and help her to run 1200m out," Price said.
"If she gets posted deep and working it's going to be against her chances if there can be a spot there just off the pace for her - three deep with cover, that's going to be fine."
While Price believed the Manikato would be a wide open race, he agreed with punters that Kaphero, the $4 favourite on Thursday afternoon (TAB Sportsbet), was the horse to beat.
"At weight-for-age, I suppose there's even a question mark on Kaphero getting a strong 1200. They're (the owners) entitled to try and it's a great race to try him in," he said.
"If he runs out 1200 now, he's a bit more mature and going so well, he's the clear pick."
"We want to be there in case he doesn't."