Trainer Gary Portelli has delivered a race-eve assessment that all but confirms the wisdom of a Warwick Stakes day plunge on Rebel Dane.
Rebel Dane, a horse who mixed it with Pierro and company last season, has been backed to the exclusion of most runners in the Show County Quality at Warwick Farm on Saturday.
The Glen Boss ride is into $2.80 after opening at $4.60 on Wednesday.
"Rebel Dane has so far accounted for eighty-five per cent of the money wagered on the race," TAB's fixed odds spokesman Glenn Munsie said.
And Portelli says he is in sync with pre-post punters who have labelled Rebel Dane a ratings special.
"This is the race he has been earmarked for and so far, touch wood, everything has gone to plan," Portelli said.
"It's a hot race and I'm not declaring him by any means because I've got a lot of respect for the opposition.
"But I get a lot of confidence from the fact the professionals are getting stuck into him."
It promises to be one of the strongest renewals of the Show County, emphasised by this year's weight scale.
Monton, beaten three lengths last year under 60.5kg, is one of the outsiders on Saturday despite dropping 6kg.
The field features three Group One winners including Appearance and Norzita - the brilliant mares who head the weights.
Norzita resumes in the most suitable of three possible first-up races on Saturday's card.
If she is to win, Norzita will almost certainly have to come from behind.
"She's drawn awkwardly and she'll be spotting them a bit of a margin trying to carry a bit of weight," co-trainer James Cummings said.
Norzita has firmed from $7 to $6.50 in a move that pales in comparison to the early support for Rebel Dane.