Trainer Mick Price doubts whether Light Fantastic will be able to repeat his Liston victory over Weekend Hussler when the pair clash in a mouth-watering Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington this Saturday.
But the confidence was sky high as usual in the Weekend Hussler camp.
The stage was set for a rematch between the turf's two new superstars when both horses were on Thursday morning among the final acceptances for the $505,000 weight-for-age race.
The Group Two race has attracted a star-studded field, including the cups heroes from last spring - Efficient and Master O'Reilly - and star four-year-olds such as VRC Derby winner Kibbutz, multiple Oaks winner Zarita and Riva San, who completed last season's Queensland Derby-Oaks double.
Early markets (TAB Sportsbet) have Weekend Hussler a $2 favourite, marginally ahead of Light Fantastic at $2.40. The next best in the market - Zarita and Dealer Principal - were out to double-figure odds.
Light Fantastic drew first blood three weeks ago in the Liston Stakes at Caulfield but Price was, for several reasons, not predicting a repeat of that result.
"At some stage I'm probably going to have some humble pie, that's fine," Price said.
"I know we beat him once but I'm not confident of beating him."
"I'm confident that we'll be competitive with him. He's a great horse and I certainly don't sell those horses short."
"It'll be good if they ding-dong it out over the last 300 wouldn't it?"
"As long as I'm in front I'll be really happy."
Weekend Hussler has drawn perfectly in gate five while Price's four-year-old, who the trainer said was ready for the step up to 1600m, must jump from barrier nine in the 11-horse field.
"We've drawn pretty tricky little gate out there so the right thing has to happen in the gate," Price said.
"There's a lot of horses who will be wanting to find their feet. We'll probably push and go forward and see if we can get a nice run in the race."
Secondly, Price believed Weekend Hussler was not at his top when the pair last met in the Liston due to a foot abscess.
"It doesn't take much to tip horses out of their comfort zone when things go wrong with them," he said.
"I accept that we may have caught him not on his A-grade game but that's racing."
McDonald was given a boost on Thursday after precautionary blood scans revealed nothing untoward with Weekend Hussler.
Asked if he expected Weekend Hussler to again be in the winner's enclosure this Saturday, McDonald said: "I'd be disappointed if he's not."
This Saturday's race is unlikely to be the last time the pair clash ahead of next month's Cox Plate.
Both gallopers, who are yet to race beyond the mile, have the Underwood Stakes (1800m) and the Yalumba Stakes (2000m) on their spring program.
"Both camps, Weekend Hussler and us, are both assuming our horses are going to get 2000m," Price said.
"We've got that little jump to pop over but it looks pretty good."