After his Golden Rose win, Astern is clearly the top colt in the country but opinion is divided as to the next best.

The trio, which finished third, fourth and fifth in the Golden Rose, meet each other again on Saturday. All had valid excuses for not finishing closer to Astern in the Golden Rose, with Michael Hawkes and James Cummings saying a line should be drawn through the race, in which Divine Prophet and Good Standing didn't have the best of luck. Hawkes and Cummings believe they have Rose third placegetter Impending covered if they get clear runs on Saturday.

Each galloper has had a change of jockey through suspension and the usual merry-go-around of riders, which adds interest in a race that will decide the favourite for the Caulfield Guineas.

Rory Hutchings, who takes the reins on Good Standing, is confident about his chances.

"He was very strong at the end [of the Rose] and when you look at this race, he probably gets a much better run," Hutchings said. "It makes you confident looking at that race, but there are a few good ones coming out of it."

Divine Prophet made up a lot ground from back in the field in the Rose but crucially lost the back of winner Astern in the early part of the race. He is going to be under Christian Reith on Saturday and, with his booming finish, will be favoured by the small field.

Godolphin have their main man, James McDonald, on Impending, which also gets the blinkers on.

"He's just been one of our better colts," McDonald said. "I haven't got to ride him because of Astern but it should be good on Saturday and the blinkers will help him."

The betting has Divine Prophet on top just in front of Impending, with Good Standing representing the value at around the $6 mark.