No Black Caviar, no worries. Saturday's William Reid Stakes (1200m) shapes as fascinating betting race now that the odds-on favourite is out.
Peter Moody has had to start again with his star filly, who broke down at training on Thursday, leaving Nicconi to start $3.20 favourite in the Group One sprint. Wanted ($3.60) is considered his main challenger, while Shellscrape is on the next line at $4.20.
Those three horses filled the trifecta in the Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington a fortnight ago, but if that form doesn't hold up, where do you turn?
The query over Nicconi is that he has never won at 1200m in five tries, while Wanted has also failed to deliver the goods at six furlongs in six attempts. Shellscrape has won twice at the distance, but in much lower grade and has never raced at the Valley.
Light Fantastic could be the one to produce an upset first-up. While the striking grey has never quite lived up to the early expectations of him, he is coming off a light spring and has a win and a second at the course and distance. He has never been unplaced first-up, hass drawn barrier one and the $7 available about him looks an each-way pinch.
The Group Two Alistair Clark Stakes (1600m) may lack some star quality, but there are a couple of promising three-year-olds engaged.
Linton ($3.80) was superb last start and has hatfuls of talent and could take the next step with victory in this race. Extra Zero is his main rival, but doesn't look the type of horse who enjoys the tight turns of the Valley.
Elsewhere on the card, there are some very interesting horses reaching a stage of their preparation where they could make sudden improvement.
Barbaricus is second-up in Race 5, a 1500m event and is $26 in early markets. He has been placed three from four at Moonee Valley and is getting to the sort of distance where he is suited. He mightn't win, but is the classiest animal in the race and he'll give you a good run for your money.
Divine Rebel is a $15 shot in the Sunline Stakes (1600m) and given she is unbeaten at Moonee Valley and has finished either first or second in five starts at the mile, you would think those odds are reasonable. She has shown nothing this campaign, but may make major improvement on Saturday.