However, LUSCIOUS won't be left alone on the lead as SPEED ANGEL and HARLAN'S DANCER are around to keep her honest and she is sure to be crowded after the first six furlongs when the middle-distance runners get rolling.

The three-year-old local-bred brigade of COLD GROUND, SIR SOUTH, MEA CULPA and DON GEORGE are dangerous contenders on their day.

SIR SOUTH narrowly beat COLD GROUND at 1200 metres on August 17 and the table could very well be turned at the longer distance. COLD GROUND returned 10 days later to mow down non-winners-of-two at 2000 metres, albeit beating PRIVATE CARD is no big shake.

MEA CULPA boasts a victory over SIR SOUTH and LUSCIOUS at 1400 metres but looks guilty at a mile.

MIKENIFICENT has tactical backstretch pace which, if used smartly by Nelson, should see him upstaging the local-breds. He definitely returned an improved horse on August 1, turning the table on DON GEORGE, SPEED ANGEL and ALEXA'S SONG in no uncertain manner.

Apparently the blinkers and tongue tie with which MIKENIFICENT was fitted in his two previous races had him too early in the pace and apprentice Robert Halledeen was unable to rate the American. The stronger and more experienced Nelson, aided by a slower pace, got the job done on August 1.

Having won aboard MIKENIFICENT, Nelson has a fair idea of how he likes to run and should use his tactical speed and staying ability to outfinish the likes of COLD GROUND, SIR SOUTH and MEA CULPA.

A horse to watch in the event is the reprogrammed NYABINGHI, cheek pieces on and lasix for the first time. The three-year-old American-bred filly has looked rather sharp at exercise since her last run, a lackluster next-to-last behind GO GO YVONNE on June 11.

However, her workouts seem a bit spaced out, one-week intervals, suggesting all might not be so right with her, which won't serve her well in a truly run race.