Four of the nine runners taking their spots in the 3200m pace are freshmen in the open-class grades as 4yr-olds, and names such as Pulp Fiction, Costa Del Magnifico and Tas Man Bromac are sure to feature in more group races in the next season or two.
Titan Banner belongs in that category as well.
His trainer, Graeme Anderson, has long held the opinion the half-brother to Mainland Banner would be his future New Zealand Cup horse.
A win in the 3200m Tuapeka Cup in October displayed his staying tendencies and his past two runs - while not winning ones - have him nearing winning form again, although Anderson is just as impressed by his opposition.
"A lot of those horses will be found in a better race in the next six months, so it will be interesting.''
The weather has been against Anderson this week. Westwood Beach has copped plenty of rain just like the rest of Dunedin, and the wind has been in the wrong direction for Anderson and fellow Westwood trainer Amber Hoffman to get the best out of the beach training.
"We haven't been able to get all the work into him that we wanted to, but he doesn't take a lot of work,''Anderson said.‘‘But I'm pretty happy with him going in to the race.''
Titan Banner is one of just two runners on the 20m mark, where he will start alongside Pulp Fiction.
"He'll step quickly, but it's an interesting race - it's a damn good field but I've got a lot of confidence in the horse,'' he said.
"Costa Del Magnifico will step and try and keep running, Nathan Williamson's horse [Tas Man Bromac] is quick away and mine is a quick beginner normally, so just as long as they make it a truly-run race.
"I think he's a good stayer and I've always said he can stay. Staying's not going to worry him at all and he's happy within himself.''
Anderson also has Belkmyster in the race, but his 50m handicap makes it awfully hard for the 6yr-old.
"It's very difficult but you've got to race him somewhere,'' he said.
"He's got a lethal sprint but he wouldn't be going around them three-wide. He needs the right type of run.
Anderson's best is clearly Sovereign Banner (race 8), who still ran second at Cromwell despite drawing terribly on the inside of the second line.
"He didn't handle the grass one bit but he's trained on well,'' he said.
"I see him as a winner. The barrier draw for Saturday doesn't really concern me. He'll do his own thing then come around them at some stage."
Motu Moonbeam will start from wide on the front line in the c0-c3 1700m mobile pace for mares, but Anderson would prefer her to avoid the early fight after copping a tough run at Ascot Park two weeks ago.
"The preferential barrier draw is going to make it difficult, but I think we'll be a bit more reserved with her this week and go back and see if we can get around.''
The leading lights
COSTA DEL MAGNIFICO
Starting off the front mark, the Brent Shirley-trained pacer could give his rivals off the back mark plenty to catch if he rolls along in front.
TAS MAN BROMAC
The Nathan Williamson-trained 4yr-old has added stamina to his already-Impressive repetoire this season and his standing start manners will be a big help.
PULP FICTION
Tony Stratford's 4yr-old has one big plus next to his name - driver Dexter Dunn. A big threat if he's close to the leaders on the turn.
QUICK AS A TRICK
After winning the Methven Green Mile in December and adding the group 3 Central Otago Cup to his CV earlier this month, the 5yr-old is a chance despite starting off 30m.
