Buffalo River (Image: Racing Photos)
Eight horses that sit within the top 40 on The All-Star Mile leaderboard will line-up Australia-wide on Saturday but not many have as much riding on the result as Buffalo River, who takes his place in the $125,000 Seppelt Wines Plate (1400m) at Flemington.
The Mike Moroney-trained galloper was sitting 20th on The All-Star Mile leaderboard with close to 900 votes as of 5pm (AEDT) on Friday, before voting is set to close at midnight on February 14.
"For people to vote for him he needs to win on Saturday," Moroney said.
"We are serious about running in the race, otherwise we have to get in via the Blamey Stakes, which is a win-and-you're-in race."
Buffalo River resumes after finishing runner-up in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap in the spring and his trainer is confident of a forward showing to boost him up the leaderboard.
"He has earnt his weight as Group 1 placegetter and it is going to need to be a Group-class horse to beat him," Moroney said.
"He does give an in-form horse (Regardsmaree) a bit of weight so we will find out."
WATCH: Buffalo River's February 3 jumpout at Flemington (pink and grey)
A two-time winner first-up, Moroney believes his American-bred gelding is now the finished product.
"Being six months behind I am really happy with how he has matured and put on weight over the break," he explained.
"In his jumpouts he has been relaxing that bit more and learnt to switch off.
"There doesn't seem to be a leader tomorrow so I think he might lead but as long as it is under his own steam."
Moroney said options for the five-year-old deeper into the campaign could include the Doncaster Mile and the Doomben Cup.
Jamie Kah has been booked for the ride, with Sportsbet marking Buffalo River a $3.40 chance behind the Nick Ryan-trained Regardsmaree ($2.05), who is looking for three-straight wins.
Top 40 All-Star Mile hopefuls racing on Saturday (rankings as of 5pm AEDT Friday)
6th - Regalo Di Gaetano
Morphettville Parks - Race 6 - 3:46PM Winning Edge Presentations Handicap (1300 METRES)
12th - Mugatoo
Royal Randwick - Race 7 - 5:05PM Yulong Apollo Stakes (1400 METRES)
20th - Buffalo River
Flemington - Race 3 - 1:30PM Seppelt Wines Plate (1400 METRES)
25th - Kolding
Royal Randwick - Race 7 - 5:05PM YULONG APOLLO STAKES (1400 METRES)
30th - Morvada
Flemington - Race 3 - 1:30PM Seppelt Wines Plate (1400 METRES)
31st - Dom To Shoot
Flemington - Race 7 - 4:05PM CS Hayes Stakes (1400 METRES)
38th - Lunar Fox
Flemington - Race 7 - 4:05PM CS Hayes Stakes (1400 METRES)
39th - Neufbosc
Flemington - Race 3 - 1:30PM Seppelt Wines Plate (1400 METRES)