Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock will be the only stable with multiple runners in the feature race on day three of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The pair has Gonnadancealot and Tiz My Bay lining-up in the Group 1 Kennedy Oaks (2500m) at Flemington on Thursday.
But the weather, and how much rain falls at Flemington, will determine their hopes.
Griffiths wants the predicted rain to stay away for Gonnadancealot who won her way into the Oaks by winning the Byerley Handicap (1800m) at Flemington in July.
Gonnadancealot has failed to fire in two runs this campaign, but Griffiths said there has been excuses.
She finished eighth over 1800m at Flemington on September 22 before finishing tenth to Daisies on a soft track over 2000m at Caulfield on October 16.
“We don’t think she lets down in the wet, so at Caulfield we weren’t confident before the race, so we couldn’t be disappointed afterwards,” Griffiths said.
“She’s trained really well since, but we are concerned about the weather forecast, but her training gallop on Saturday suggests she’s on song for a good run.”
Tiz My Bay is still a maiden after eight starts but is shaping as though the distance will suit.
After finishing fifth behind Daisies at Caulfield, Tiz My Bay was a closing sixth in the Wakeful Stakes (2000m) at Flemington last Saturday.
“We weren’t going to run her, we were going to go straight into the Oaks after Caulfield,” Griffiths said.
“But because she zoomed up at Caulfield and died on the run, through circumstances, we probably needed to see the run of a staying filly rather than one of one weakening.
“So, we ran her on Saturday instead of galloping her at home and she pleased us pulling ground late.
“A lot of people, good judges, commented on how well she ran, and I think she ran herself into the mix.
“She’s also finally drawn a gate to run well and be competitive.”
