Unlike last year when Weekend Hussler was all the rage, this year's Caulfield Guineas is shaping as a raffle.
It can be argued all but four runners - like pacemaker Rockdale and the bottom three emergencies - have winning chances in the Guineas.
The Toorak Handicap is also a wide open Group One, while Pompeii Ruler appears to have the Yalumba Stakes at his mercy.
On form, the one they all have to beat in the Guineas is Whobegotyou from the Mark Kavanagh yard.
The gelding could not have been more impressive winning when he overcame a leaders bias to donkeylick them in the Bill Stutt Stakes. But he has a habit of running into trouble in his races which makes the $3.20 (TAB Sportsbet) not overly enticing. Barrier 12 is not a help either.
David Hayes has a strong hand in the Guineas with Von Costa De Hero and All American, the latter the stable's best after drawing gate four.
He was well beaten in the Bill Stutt but did settle near the lead in a truly run race and held on resolutely in the straight.
Von Costa De Hero made up a stack of ground in the Guineas Prelude on a day when it was hard for swoopers due to the strong headwind in the straight. The concern is barrier 14.
Mick Price will apply the blinkers on Lord Tavistock in a bid to have him jump smartly. The step up to the mile appears ideal for the son of Montjeu, who should enjoy a smooth run.
Minnesota Shark and Carnero, both lovely Derby types, will run on late, while the next best are Sydney duo Duporth and Dreamscape.
Everything appears set for Pompeii Ruler to win his first race since the 2007 Australian Cup, over the same course and distance. He's drawn well, will be better for last week's run in the Turnbull when fourth and has the tactical speed to make his own luck in the small field.
Guillotine is the logical danger, but only if he settles which he failed to do in the Turnbull. A slow pace will not help. Casual Pass and Largo Lad are the next two best.
The Toorak is just as tough as the Guineas. Since the metric system in 1972, only four horses have won with more than 55kg, which bodes ill for Bon Hoffa, Orange County, Alamosa and Valedictum.
It's a raffle but the No.12 ticket of Molotov is not as bad as it looks on paper. The seven-year-old grows another leg second-up, where he has four wins and a third from seven starts, has Glen Boss aboard, and a good record at the distance and track.
Turffontein is another lightweight hope after his third in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. He meets Orange County and Bon Hoffa better at the weights and should get a favourable run from gate seven.
Pillar Of Hercules showed considerable promise as a three-year-old and has performed admirably at odds this preparation. The extra distance is in his favour, though it's worth noting Luke Nolen has elected to stick with last-start winner Annenkov.
Bon Hoffa is a great each-way chance but carries a very good horse's weight of 57kg, while the wide barriers are against Orange County, Alamosa and Sea Battle, who will need luck in running.
Include The Fuzz, Eskimo Queen and Raheeb in quaddies and other exotics.
Maybe