“She’s tractable and if you can get around Caulfield you can get around Moonee Valley no problem at all,” Richards said.

“She’s going to be good on top of the ground there on Saturday. I’m happy with her. I like the preparation she’s had, fifth-up and she’s had that good tough run over 2000 metres which I think will hold her in good stead.”

Verry Elleegant’s only race at Moonee Valley was a disappointing effort behind Lys Gracieux in the 2019 Cox Plate, while Dalasan wouldn’t have even raced at the track if he didn’t have a setback this spring. It prompted him to tackle a 1200-metre race first-up this campaign instead of staying in Adelaide.

A host of contenders including Annabel Neasham’s Zaaki and Mo’unga and gun three-year-olds Anamoe and Captivant had familiarity gallops during Breakfast with the Best on Tuesday.

But is that enough?

Verry Elleegant’s trainer Chris Waller said his nine-time group 1-winning mare is an entirely different beast to the one which struggled in the same race two years ago.

“Her previous attempt at the Cox Plate was well before the horse she is now,” Waller said. “On that occasion, she had ear muffs on and she was still racing erratically. She was slow away, got wedged in on the fence and over raced the entire trip prior to tiring on the bend.

“We’ve got a much more tractable horse thankfully and we’ve got a horse that appreciates a bit of room, and will get that from the draw on Saturday. Since then she’s had a number of group 1 wins racing against the best horses in the world. She only needs to bring her autumn to The Valley on Saturday and she’ll be fine.”

Dalasan’s co-trainer Leon Macdonald said he was surprised so few Cox Plate contenders had ever been to Moonee Valley in the past.

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“You don’t [usually see it],” he said. “[But] I think it’s overrated to say they handle it, or they don’t. When you go through the Cox Plate in history, the best horse usually wins.

“He raced there in an unsuitable race, but the best part about it is the pressure was on all the way. He handled it OK and he didn’t go there Tuesday morning because I didn’t think he needed to.”

Having excluded Japanese import Keiai Nautique from the field on Tuesday morning despite not having 14 acceptors, the Moonee Valley committee faces another blow with fitness doubts over Gold Trip and Callsign Mav.

Gold Trip, fourth in last year’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, was found to be displaying lameness in his off fore and off hind leg. He was an easing $12 chance with Sportsbet on Thursday, but jockey Damien Oliver went into bat for his fitness.

“He felt fine to me,” Oliver told Racing.com. “I find it unusual that no one’s actually asked me how it felt because I’m the one that’s putting my neck on the line riding the horse. I’ve ridden internationals before, I haven’t felt comfortable on them before and actually volunteered that this horse isn’t right.

“But this horse [Gold Trip] felt fine to me last week when I galloped him. Hopefully, he does take his place because he’s obviously a really good horse. For me, he’s sound and I have no problems with his action, and I’m very comfortable to ride him if he takes his place on Saturday.”

Callsign Mav ($71) was displaying lameness in his near fore, but trainer John Bary reported the gelding had missed no work and has been attended to by the stable vet and farrier.

A decision on whether both horses will run is expected to be made on Friday.