Weekend Hussler's injury setback this week has thrown added intrigue into Saturday's Group Two Liston Stakes at Caulfield.
The superstar four-year-old was only declared fit to run on Wednesday after a foot abscess earlier in the week had put him in doubt for the race, which has attracted a high-quality field.
However, that has not stopped bookmakers from installing the four-year-old a $1.70 favourite ahead of boom galloper Light Fantastic on $3.
As impressive as Light Fantastic, a distinctive-looking grey from the Mick Price yard, was in his first campaign, he would have to lift a notch or two to topple Weekend Hussler.
The highlight of Light Fantastic's autumn was his victory in the Group One Australian Guineas, where he defeated Marching and Playwright.
Marching subsequently failed in Sydney where he was no match for Weekend Hussler, while Playwright disappointed first-up last weekend when he ran eighth behind Grand Duels in the Aurie Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington.
Grand Duels was no match for Weekend Hussler in this year's Newmarket Handicap over the same course and distance in March.
That Weekend Hussler was also able to beat Triple Honour and Casino Prince, who ran the quinella in the Doncaster Handicap, in Sydney tilts the scales further in the Ross McDonald-trained gelding's favour.
The only query against Weekend Hussler was what impact the foot abscess had on his fitness for this Saturday.
McDonald, who was as confident as ever in his star, said the galloper did not miss any work and would again be the testing material in the Liston.
But punters have been cautious ahead of the race, perhaps waiting for Weekend Hussler to start in the black before they attack.
"There's been very, very little traffic at our end," said Sportingbet's Bill Richmond.
"Usually these things, if there's $1.70 and $1.80 out there and they're not coming for it you've got to put up $1.90 and if they don't come up for that you've got to put up the $2. That's the cat and mouse game that is bookmaking."
Also running in the Liston are two-time New Zealand Group One winner Sir Slick, Mark Kavanagh's star stayer Maldivian, VRC Derby winner Kibbutz, Kiwi four-year-old Alamosa and last year's Irish Derby runner-up Alexander Of Hales.
While not in the class of the above, all of whom are first-up in the Listion, tough five-year-old Jungle Ruler has a fitness edge and has won his past three starts, the most recent two over the same course and distance as Saturday's race.
Either he or Live In Vain will lead and both can run cheeky races if able to dictate terms.
Of the horses resuming, outside of the favoured duo, Alamosa has the best first-up credentials. A stablemate of Light Fantastic, Alamosa has a win and second from two fresh runs, and has won and placed over the 1400m.
The program also marks the return of several other Cup hopes. The Danny O'Brien-trained Gallopin resumes in a 1600m handicap, while Zarita - a dual classic winner season - starts in the Cockram Stakes, and Dealer Principal runs in a 1200m handicap.
Lucky Wu
Weekend Hussler
Light Fantastic
Jungle Ruler
Alamosa