Can home-town hero Count De Rupee topple Archedemus? Check out our Mercury runner-by-runner guide to the $1 million The Gong.
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1 I AM SUPERMAN
Odds: $7.50 Barrier: 1
Why he can win: Beat Think It Over back in March, Tommy Berry aboard, third-up, barrier one helps and Mister Sea Wolf won with top weight in inaugural The Gong in 2019.
Why he can't win: Held his own in top-class sprint company this preparation, but is he going well enough?
2 BERDIBEK
Odds: $21. Barrier: 2
Why he can win: Won the Listed Rowley Mile first-up last preparation, Hugh Bowman on. Everyone loves a big grey.
Why he can't win: Has been kept fresh for this, but likes further and lacks the class.
3 ARAMAYO
Odds: $8. Barrier: 14
Why he can win: Forget last start in Melbourne, he ran second in a Group 1 Epsom, that's good enough here.
Why he can't win: Has not won in 10 starts on Soft or Heavy going.
4 COUNT DE RUPEE
Odds: $3.6 fav. Barrier: 17
Why he can win: Has an explosive turn of foot and did everything but win the Golden Eagle last start. Home-town hero.
Why he can't win: The wide gate will give Brock Ryan a headache, unproven at 1600m.
5 QUACKERJACK
Odds: $23. Barrier: 8
Why he can win: Go back and watch his 2019 run in The Gong, makes you want to run through a brick wall.
Why he can't win: Was eighth to I Am Superman in the Group 2 Shannon Stakes (1400m) and hasn't been at that level since.
6 NUDGE
Odds: $18. Barrier: 6
Why she can win: Impressive in the Brisbane winter carnival and form around quality types like Rocha Clock and Tofane. Likes the mile.
Why she can't win: Hasn't won on Soft or Heavy and query her class in this field.
7 ARCHEDEMUS
Odds: $34. Barrier: 19
Why he can win: The defending champion who loves Kembla Grange and the 1600m trip. Best is good enough.
Why he can't win: Recent form a concern. Drawn so wide he could jump from former trainer Gwenda Markwell's backyard.
8 DAWN PASSAGE
Odds: $18. Barrier: 9
Why he can win: Performed in only run at the mile, when last year's runner-up in an exciting battle with Archedemus.
Why he can't win: Hasn't placed since and hasn't won in 18 months.
9 RELOADED
Odds: $31. Barrier: 4
Why he can win: Was outclassed in the Group 1 Epsom, but outstanding weaving through traffic for third in the Group 2 Shannon Stakes, easily beating Archedemus home.
Why he can't win: Hasn't won in 18 months and is one from nine at the trip.
10 RICH HIPS
Odds: $12. Barrier: 13
Why she can win: Exploded along the fence to win the Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes on Melbourne Cup day.
Why she can't win: Was off the mark going the Sydney way during the autumn, though in Group 1 company.
11 ATISHU
Odds: $6.50. Barrier: 7
Why she can win: Fought gamely in the Epsom behind Private Eye and Aramayo, likes the sting out of the track.
Why she can't win: Had to go back and struck traffic in the Golden Eagle, but was still four lengths off Count De Rupee.
12 BLUE SOLDIER
Odds: $31. Barrier: 3
Why he can win: If it's Heavy on Saturday afternoon, then Blue Soldier comes right into consideration.
Why he can't win: Was fourth to Berdibeck in the Rowley Mile and appears an inferior form line.
13 CRIADERAS
Odds: $18. Barrier: 20
Why he can win: Ignore the wide draw, will go back anyway and be rattling home if there's a fast pace up front.
Why he can't win: Only one run since finishing a disappointing seventh as favourite in the Group 2 Ajax in spring behind I Am Superman and Think It Over.
14 SOLDIER OF LOVE
Odds: $26. Barrier: 11
Why he can win: Fought off all challengers to win the Spring Mile last month, before a game effort in the Rosehill Gold Cup (2000m) behind Think It Over. Tough.
Why he can't win: Was well beaten by Reloaded and Archedemus in the Group 2 Shannon (1600m) won by Yonkers.
15 EXOBOOM
Odds: $26. Barrier: 10
Why he can win: Beat Quackerjack and Criaderas in the $160,000 Filante Handicap (1400m) and has won on Heavy before.
Why he can't win: Wasn't in the same postcode as Count De Rupee in the Golden Eagle.
16 YAMAZAKI
Odds: $34. Barrier: 5
Why she can win: Has pushed Nudge and Exoboom, drops to 52kg. Why she can't win: Outclassed.
TIPS FOR THE GONG
Saturday, 4.40pm
Live on Seven Network and Sky Racing
CAMERON MEE
Mercury racing writer
4 COUNT DE RUPEE
3 ARAMAYO
11 ATISHU
10 RICH HIPS
TIM BARROW
Mercury sports editor
4 COUNT DE RUPEE
11 ATISHU
9 RELOADED
1 I AM SUPERMAN
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