IT has been called the best field ever to run at Kembla Grange by Illawarra Turf Club chief executive Peter De Vries.
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Packed with group-class talent, here's the Mercury's runner-by-runner guide to why your horse can - and can't - win the $1 million The Gong on Saturday.
1 MISTER SEA WOLF
Barrier: 6; TAB odds: $14
Why he can win: Defending champion who combines with McDonald again. Won group 2 Chelmsford Stakes in September.
Why he can't win: Now a nine-year-old and while a proven weight carrier, will feel every bit of 60 kilograms in a top field.
2 OLMEDO
Barrier: 8; TAB odds: $12
Why he can win: Will take great improvement from 2.65 lengths sixth in the group 1 Cantala Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, just his second run in Australia.
Why he can't win: Has ground to make up on Cascadian and Rock from that race.
3 CASCADIAN
Barrier: 9; TAB odds: $12
Why he can win: Flashed to within a neck of Yulong Prince in the Cantala and a repeat performance goes mighty close here.
Why he can't win: Not ideally weighted, might strike traffic looking for a run on the big Kembla straight.
4 ROCK
Barrier: 11; TAB odds: $7
Why he can win: Consistent group-level performer, kept coming for third in the Cantala.
Why he can't win: Might have to go back from the awkward draw and have too much to do late.
5 BEST OF DAYS
Barrier: 10; TAB odds: $34
Why he can win: Just edged in the Gosford Cup and Listed level in Melbourne, a half length off in group 3 Eagle Farm Mile.
Why he can't win: Was 3.5 lengths off Cascadian and Rock in the Cantala. Not going well enough.
6 BRANDENBURG
Barrier: 15; TAB odds: $26
Why he can win: Worked home for eighth inside Rock in the Epsom mile. In the mix.
Why he can't win: Always around the mark in big races, but has won just two from 16.
7 DAWN PASSAGE
Barrier: 1; TAB odds: $4.60 (equal favourite)
Why he can win: Third in the Golden Eagle (Heavy) and Silver Eagle (Good). Good enough here.
Why he can't win: Might struggle finding room from the inside gate if Archedemus, Olmedo or Positive Peace take control in front.
8 THINK IT OVER
Barrier: 3; TAB odds: $34
Why he can win: Will ideally trail the leaders and, with a solid tempo, can go close.
Why he can't win: Won group 3 at 2000m. Future is over further, might find these too sharp.
9 NETTOYER
Barrier: 14; TAB odds: $41
Why she can win: Doncaster Mile winner on heavy going. Best is good enough.
Why she can't win: Second to Think It Over in the Craven Plate but has mixed form this preparation.
10 POSITIVE PEACE
Barrier: 2; TAB odds: $31
Why she can win: Will likely dictate proceedings with Archedemus and, like Mister Sea Wolf last year, might be hard to run down.
Why she can't win: Question of running out a strong mile against these.
11 PURPLE SECTOR
Barrier: 5; TAB odds: $4.60 (equal favourite)
Why he can win: Impressive and tough win in the Listed Melbourne Cup Day Plate, continuing a great preparation.
Why he can't win: Just a slight query of class here.
12 RELOADED
Barrier: 7; TAB odds: $34
Why he can win: Third behind Dreamforce and Kolding in the Tramway alone makes him appealing.
Why he can't win: Around the mark in three tries, but doubt lingers over the 1600m trip.
13 ARCHEDEMUS
Barrier: 13; TAB odds: $41
Why he can win: Hawkesbury Cup winner which could cross them early and be hard to chase down.
Why he can't win: Class doubt, could be awkwardly placed if others inside take him on for speed.
14 ASIAGO
Barrier: 4; TAB odds: $11
Why she can win: Kembla Classic winner, loves the track. Luckless at $91 but got going late in the group 1 Empire Rose at Flemington. Charged home in The Hunter last week.
Why she can't win: Might be caught in the ruck looking for room again.
15 BOTTEGA
Barrier: 16; TAB odds: $10
Why he can win: Matched motors with Purple Sector this spring and game behind Colette, Icebath and Dawn Passage on heavy in the Golden Eagle.
Why he can't win: Drawn the car park and might be all too hard from there.
16 AL MAH HAHA
Barrier: 12; TAB odds: $51
Why he can win: Goulburn Cup winner which has earned a shot here.
Why he can't win: Never run over a mile, likely to be outclassed in the second $1 million The Gong.
TIPS FOR THE GONG
Saturday, 4.45pm, Kembla Grange
TV: Live on Sky Racing
CRAIG MORDEY
Mercury racing analyst
7 DAWN PASSAGE
15 BOTTEGA
11 PURPLE SECTOR
6 BRANDENBURG
CAMERON MEE
Mercury racing writer
11 PURPLE SECTOR
2 OLMEDO
7 DAWN PASSAGE
8 THINK IT OVER
JOSH BARTLETT
Mercury sports writer
3 CASCADIAN
7 DAWN PASSAGE
4 ROCK
1 MISTER SEA WOLF
TIM BARROW
Mercury sports editor
2 OLMEDO
4 ROCK
8 THINK IT OVER
14 ASIAGO
