Co-trainers Simon Zahra and Mat Ellerton refused the temptation to travel the three-year-old to Adelaide a fortnight ago. Instead he remained in Melbourne where he was successful at Caulfield.

With an envious strike-rate of 11 starts for four wins and two seconds, most view the son of Zacinto as a young staying talent of the future.

Odeon romped away from his rivals at Caulfield and may well do the same in the group 1 classic on Saturday.

SMART MONEY ON STRATEGIC DEMAND

Thanks to a South Australian government initiative fields over the Adelaide carnival have been excellent and it would seem that the local training combination of Leon MacDonald and Andrew Gluyas will be part of the spoils with their smart sprinter Strategic Demand.

The sprinter won his last three starts before heading to the spelling paddock but bounced back recently with an eye-catching third at his first outing.

Strategic Demand will now be very much fitter for his latest effort and with Clare Lindop on board the horse gets all of the ticks.

NEVERLAND EXCELLENT VALUE

Back at Caulfield on Saturday, the former Western Australian galloper Neverland steps to the 2000 metres.

After a handy first-up effort at Caulfield Neverland looks nicely placed in a benchmark 84 standard race.

With a three kilogram allowance, Neverland, who has performed well at group standard at home in Perth, looks an excellent value bet.

TAKING IT SLOW WITH WISE HERO

Saturday's Clanbrooke Racing Hcp sees the high-class sprinter Wise Hero at his second run since a break.

Wise Hero has been very impressive during his short career with trainer John Price resisting the temptation of taking the three-year-old to Adelaide for some group 1 events.

Price is intent on taking Wise Hero slowly through the grades and in time make some lofty plans for the sprinter.

Regular rider Dwayne Dunn returns to his hometown in Adelaide on Saturday, while boom apprentice Ben Allen will claim 1.5 kilograms from the youngster's weight of 58kgs.

HEALTHY LINE-UP AT SCONE

And, the once a year standalone Scone meeting will be staged on Saturday with the main event being the Inglis Guineas worth more than $400,000.

The Scone club has been rewarded with a healthy line-up of three-year-olds that include some group winners of the past.

The Flemington-trained Mr Sneaky has racked up two excellent victories in Melbourne at his home track, then again at his last start in Caulfield.

Drawn barrier 7, the Lee Freedman-trained galloper looks excellent value at $8.00.

And up in Queensland the running of the Doomben 10,000 will be staged and the club will be thrilled with the field the group 1 $700,000 event has attracted considering the appeal for many sprinters around Australia lies in South Australia for their carnival.