Waller stable representative Damien Fitton confirmed McDonald, who rode Verry Elleegant to the two-mile feature at Flemington, will be aboard Aramayo on Saturday.

Read more: Robert and Luke Price ready to chase lucrative prize in $1 million The Gong

They also took out the $15 million The Everest together with Nature Strip, as well as the inaugural The Gong in 2019 with Mister Sea Wolf.

The Waller team could have as many as four horses in the 1600m event after 27 nominations were announced on Monday.

Aramayo is listed as an $8 third pick in the Sportsbet markets, behind leading Kembla Grange hope Count De Rupee, trained by Robert and Luke Price.

Read more: Moto2 world champion Remy Gardner follows in dad Wayne's footsteps

Fitton declared Aramayo would be 'very hard to beat'.

"We've been targeting this race all along, quite frankly," he told Sky Racing.

"Look, a million dollars is a great incentive to run in these types of races and his preparation has been faultless.

"James McDonald will will ride and he should be very hard to beat."

Read more: Wollongong Wolves prepare for Mariners battle in FFA Cup round of 16 fixture

The six-year-old gelding toiled away for ninth in the Group 1 Cantala Stakes at Flemington on Derby Day, but Fitton is confident he will show his best on Saturday.

"Things didn't go his way, he didn't really get the best run in transit and that told late," he said after Aramayo chased high-tempo leaders Buffalo River and Riodini in a race won by Superstorm.

Waller will also be hoping four-year-old mare Atishu can challenge Golden Eagle runner-up Count De Rupee.

"She was beaten 4.5 lengths in that race in 12^th, but it was obviously a tightly-bunched field, she's trained on well from that and the mile is definitely going to suit," he said.

Nudge, Reloaded and Wheelhouse have also been nominated by Waller.

We depend on subscription revenue to support our journalism. If you are able, please subscribe here. If you are already a subscriber, thank you for your support