A horse whose name translates as "the King" will bid to capture the Queen Elizabeth Stakes after Le Roi confirmed his place in Saturday's field with a sharp exhibition gallop.
At $101 with most bookmakers, the last-start Moonee Valley winner is the outsider of a star-studded field which boasts It's A Dundeel, Carlton House, Silent Achiever, Green Moon and Boban.
Trainer Tony McEvoy is the first to admit Le Roi appears to be out of his depth at Randwick on Saturday. But he is just as adamant the 5-year-old can belie his long odds.
"It's a very aggressive placement but I've got a lot of time for this horse," McEvoy said. "I was confident he was up to the BMW last year and I was disappointed he was beaten three lengths but he bowed a tendon during the race.
"On paper, my horse reads like he shouldn't be there. I can only go off what I see from him and I'm sure he won't let us down."
Le Roi was given his final serious piece of work with a gallop between races at yesterday's Kensington track meeting.
Working with Prince Of Capers, Le Roi did best in the 1600-metre gallop with Nash Rawiller in the saddle.
Craig Williams takes over in the Queen Elizabeth with Rawiller booked for Silent Achiever.
The Queen Elizabeth Stakes has a history littered with upsets, the most famous in 1997 when Intergaze upstaged champion Octagonal.
Victorian filly Solicit remains on track to contest Saturday's Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Randwick despite undergoing treatment for a mystery skin condition.
Solicit is at $6.50 in a race which is expected to be a showdown between Chris Waller's two best mares Red Tracer and Catkins. Meanwhile, Streama is set to take her place after connections had a rethink.
- AAP