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The BMW could turn into a tactical battler which trainer Leon Macdonald believes Craig Williams will win aboard Southern Speed.
The lack of a do-or-die front runner in the BMW means tactics and a smart ride are all important and trainer Leon Macdonald reckons he holds the trump hand.
The Macdonald-trained Southern Speed will be reunited with the globe trotting Craig Williams in Saturday's $2.25 million staying feature over 2400 metres.
"There seems to be a lack of pace in the race and tactics will be important," Macdonald aid.
"I've got the best tactician in the race in Craig Williams so I'm more than happy."
Williams goes into the Golden Slipper meeting at Rosehill off a triumphant ride on Australian mare Ortensia in the Group One Al Quoz sprint in Dubai last weekend.
Macdonald said Southern Speed was in good order for her rematch with Manighar and American.
Manighar beat the Caulfield Cup winner by a bob of the head in the Australian Cup then claimed a decisive victory in the Ranvet Stakes last Saturday week in which the mare finished fifth after being reshod at the barrier.
The BMW field was reduced to nine on Friday with the scratching of 2007 Melbourne Cup winner Efficient due to a slight injury.
But there is an added touch of glamour to the race with the appearance of 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain who is in Sydney for the first time as is his French jockey Gerald Mosse.
Steven Arnold filled in for Mosse when Americain was a close third in the Australian Cup but the flamboyant Frenchman was available for the BMW and quickly said yes to the ride.
Trained by Alain Du Royer Dupre until after 2011 spring campaign ended, Americain is now prepared by David Hayes for the horse's Australian owners.
Hayes has taken the precaution of fitting concussion plates to Americain with the prospect of a firm track but said punters should not be alarmed as he had raced in them before.
Americain leads the market from Manighar and Southern Speed whose campaign has been aimed at building towards the 2400 metres of the BMW, the same distance as the Caulfield Cup.
Macdonald respects Americain and Manighar but gives his mare every chance.
"If there is a lack of pace I think that will go against Americain," he said.
"Southern Speed got over the show incident with no problems and apart from that she has had an uneventful campaign.
"She has worked and raced on schedule and we haven't had to change anything along the way.
"We've got an in-form mare going into the race with no issues.
"You can't always win them. It's not that easy. But I couldn't be happier."
The Bart Cummings-trained Precedence is the fourth elect and one of the likely leaders along with 2009 winner Fiumicino.
