Whether it's over a sprint journey, the mile or a staying trip, Maldivian may not get the edge over Weekend Hussler in any race, trainer Mark Kavanagh has said.
Asked over what distance Maldivian, who went within a long neck of toppling Weekend Hussler, would have the edge over Ross McDonald's superstar, Kavanagh said: "I didn't say we would."
"Weekend Hussler's a definite superstar and seems to have everything in front of him this spring."
Unless Kavanagh was playing ducks and drakes, his comment does not bode well for any rival hoping to knock off the reigning Australian Racehorse of the Year.
Maldivian is a Group One weight-for-age winner over 2000m, and on breeding - he is a son of Zabeel - he should get better over a longer trip.
On the other hand, Weekend Hussler has not raced beyond the mile but has shown enough brilliance to win an Oakleigh Plate and a Newmarket Handicap.
Maldivian will continue his path to the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate in this Saturday's G2 Dato' Tan Chin Nam Stakes at Moonee Valley.
"Third up, 1600, favourite track, we'd expect him to run pretty good," Kavanagh said.
"I think he's a good each-way chance."
Trainer Mick Price will saddle up Pompeii Ruler and Alamosa, the only two gallopers punters believe can beat Maldivian this Saturday.
Both gallopers ran slashing races behind Weekend Hussler last start in the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield.
Price said the presence of on-pacers Jungle Ruler, Maldivian and Sir Slick would result in a strongly run mile which would suit Alamosa.
"Kingy (Steven King) got off the other day and said he wanted a tough grinding sort of 1600m race, so he certainly gets it here at weight-for-age," Price said.
Pompeii Ruler, Price said, would settle out the back from barrier 13 and be saved for a late run.
"If Pompeii Ruler turns up a race like he did first-up, he'll be in the money but he's going to need a little bit of luck from that gate," Price said.
Asked which of the pair he would mark as his top pick, Price said: "I don't think there is a lot between them. It just depends on how the race is run."
Price said Pompeii Ruler was a chance to back up next Saturday and a tilt at all three of Melbourne's spring features was still on the cards.