A Flemington favourite, Melbourne Cup aspirant and Big Dance trifecta.
Local interest will be spread across interstate tracks amid Australia's iconic race on Tuesday, with Newcastle trainer Kris Lees leading the charge.
Lees saddles up runners in both the Big Dance and Little Dance at Randwick, while also keeping a close eye on grey gelding Cloudland in the Victorian capital.
In the 24 hours leading into November 5, TAB fixed odds had Lees' Tavi Time ($5) on the second line of betting for the $3 million Big Dance (1600 metres) in Sydney while Cloudland was rated a $2.30 favourite for the Subzero Handicap (1400m) at Flemington.
Loch Eagle, Rogue Bear and Mayfair Spirit, also from the Lees stable, will contest the $750,000 Little Dance (1600m).
First on the agenda for Lees and prior to Tuesday's main event, the $8.56 million Melbourne Cup (3200m), will be Cloudland in a race just for grey horses.
Lees has previously been represented in the Subzero Handicap, most recently with retired Provincial Championships runner-up Powerline between 2016 and 2018, but when placed elsewhere on the program during the week-long carnival.
When asked if it was still a thrill to have a chance at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day, the experienced campaigner said "definitely".
"And for owners. It's owned by a big syndicate. Favourite on Melbourne Cup day, everyone likes to be involved on these days regardless of what race they're in," Lees told the Newcastle Herald.
Cloudland, a six-year-old import from New Zealand, will have leading jockey James McDonald on board and arrives following a short stretch in Queensland.
"He raced well without winning up there. He's been consistent and hasn't raced for a while [October 12]," Lees said.
"Short enough price wise, but that could be the James McDonald factor."
Hunter-based racing syndicate Australian Bloodstock, two-time winners of the Melbourne Cup with Protectionist (2014) and Gold Trip (2022), have Stormfront and Earl Of Tyrone in the fields at Flemington on Tuesday.
Stormfront, a four-year-old gelding, tackles Cloudland in the Subzero Handicap while Irish seven-year-old Earl Of Tyrone enters the listed Furphy Plate (1800m).
"Stormfront probably doing his best, might be able to run third or fourth," Australian Bloodstock co-director Luke Murrell said.
"Earl Of Tyrone was supposed to be in the Melbourne Cup 18 months ago, but he's back off a couple of injuries.
"He went really good first up [October 13] after something silly like two years off.
"They often run flat second up so I've got no real expectations even though he's in the market.
"He's one we're hoping next year will be back in the Melbourne Cup, but we might have missed our boat."
Randwick's rival card has been a happy hunting ground for Lees, having won the inaugural Big Dance with Rustic Steel (2022) and followed by Spangler in the Little Dance (2023).
This time around Lees could claim a daily double, but headlined by Tavi Time fresh from a midweek win at Warwick Farm on October 16.
Five-year-old gelding Tavi Time, qualifying via the Mudgee Cup almost 12 months ago, has drawn barrier nine and jockey Chad Schofield carries 53 kilograms.
"They are hard to win, but happy Tavi Time's been prepared for the race a long time out and gets in with a light weight. So gets a few ticks," Lees said.
Doyle's stable manager Dave Dyson described the $3 million mile as a "grand final", however, the five-year-old mare will need to overcome an "awkward" draw out wide from gate 20.
Sky Lab, prepared by Paul Perry, rounds out the Novocastrian trio in the Big Dance and the Scone Cup winner will be fresh from a five-month spell.
In the later Little Dance, outside Lees' three, Sharp Shock runs for Scone trainer Rodney Northam.
Hunter jockey Dylan Gibbons has bookings in both Sydney features - Hezashocka in the Big Dance and Rogue Bear in the Little Dance.
The Barn Dance (1300m) is worth $250,000 in prizemoney at Randwick on Tuesday while Newcastle trainers Jason Deamer and Mark Minervini have Hard To Say and Quick Tempo respectively in the benchmark 100 Choisir Handicap (1100m).
Muswellbrook hosts a seven-race meeting on Melbourne Cup day.
