The Australian Cup promises to be the race of the autumn, both main contenders, Fiorente and Shamus Award, each a last start winner.

Fiorente, winner of the Melbourne Cup, continued in his winning vein by taking out the Peter Young Stakes, at weight for age, two weeks ago at Caulfield.

While Shamus Award would have lost no admirers after his all the way win in the Australian Guineas at Flemington, last Saturday.

Fiorente is the favourite, bookmakers won’t hear of him being beaten, he was on top of the charts after Caulfield.

He will need to take up a closer position than he did at “The Heath”, he won’t need to give his opposition a big start while the Flemington straight is long, the winning post can still come up quickly.

Barrier positions will have no bearing on the result whatsoever, it is a good long run to the first turn; the field will be well sorted out by then.

Shamus Award will possible lead from the outset, he has a good turn of foot, if Craig Williams can dictate the tempo in the middle stages, by slowing the field down, it could be to his advantage.

Then if Star Rolling, who has a good turn of foot, takes the colt on it would prove more difficult for Shamus Award and play into the hands of Damian Oliver on Fiorente, he would be best suited by a genuine pace.

Brad Rawiller could hold the key to the race on Star Rolling; he would know his best chances would be for a solid pace that suits the gelding.    

It is difficult to go past the two pin up horses, irrespective, they are clearly the form horses of the race, a couple in the field are only there to make up numbers.

Shamus Award is entitled to be regarded as the best three year old in the country, he has won twice at weight for age, yet two wins from 12 starts is not an over impressive strike rate.

The race has been the answer to a promoters dream, with the likely winner being Fiorente, from Shamus Award, and Star Rolling in that order.

Australian Cup favourite Fiorente