Rising Romance is no Better Loosen Up, let that be known. But she might not have to be. Not in this Australian Cup in particular.
Twenty-five years after David Hayes' grand stayer added the Antipodean feature to his Japan Cup win the previous year, a slightly greyer version of the trainer - with a nephew as a training partner in tow too - will gang tackle the Australian Cup. Of 11 hopefuls this year the Hayes-Dabernig tag team has three at Flemington. 
It only takes one to win though - although most agonised over which one long after stablemates Spillway and Extra Zero hit the line locked together in the group 1 last year - and it wouldn't surprise to see Hayes add a fourth Australian Cup to the mantelpiece.
Extra Zero ($41) is again the despised outsider. Happy Trails ($21) is back at his favourite hunting ground. An import who has impressed in Australia is at the top of betting. And maybe the winning trainer will be making a familiar walk to the winner's stall.
Rising Romance was only fleetingly tested in the traditional Peter Young Stakes lead-up - won so impressively by Godolphin's Bow Creek ($3.20) - but it was enough to suggest the Australian Cup should be her peak. The extra 200 metres and $8.50 make appeal.
The Newmarket Handicap? No prizes for predicting Chautauqua will add a fourth group 1 in Australia's greatest sprinting handicap despite lumping the 58kg topweight. At the $2.50 though it's backers beware. Japonisme ($3.90) looks the obvious quinella candidate, but maybe ex-West Australian Black Heart Bart ($18) is worth an each-way nibble.
The Golden Slipper has usually been a Victorian vacuum in recent years. Success this time of year in Sydney is rare. But before Mick Price boasts the two favourites in the world's richest two-year-old race next week, a couple of Price's fellow Caulfield trainers will stand shoulder to shoulder with top Coolmore Classic hopes at Rosehill.
Perhaps Ciaron Maher's Azkadellia ($5.50) with just 53kg of Brett Prebble is the way to go. Ghisoni ($4.60) will have to carry even less with Corey Brown steering, but perhaps the more seasoned mares - chief among them Lucia Valentina - should be given more respect.
* Odds supplied by Ladbrokes
Weekend selections
Flemington, race 6: Black Heart Bart ($4.30 place)
Flemington, race 7:
Rising Romance ($8.50)
Rosehill, race 3: Calliope ($3.80)
Rosehill, race 7: Azkadellia ($5.50)