Victoria Derby fancy Autumn Mystery is known for his poise in front of the big crowds but a big part of that confidence comes for his friendship with a Shetland pony named Millie.
Trainer Rory Hunter has borrowed Millie for several years to accompany his horses to race meetings to avoid them feeling lonely.
Millie was rescued by Hunter's vet wife some years back and the loveable pony has become a favourite both of his horses and punters at race meetings where she often steals the show.
"A lot of the horses, especially when you are traveling in traffic or are going away for a couple of hours, they don't like being on their own," Hunter said.
"Millie loves going to the races, as soon she gets off the float, she jig-jogs onto the race course. She loves all the attention she gets. He just loves having her by his side as she keeps him calm and relaxed."
Autumn Mystery won the Caulfield Classic on Caulfield Cup day and will be chasing more glory on Saturday, where he will start among the favourites.
A Derby win might be the only way to take back the limelight from his little teammate, who will follow him everywhere except to the starting barriers.
"He walked around Caulfield the other day like he had been there 100 times before," Hunter said.
"Nothing seems to worry him in front of the big crowds. I think that is a big advantage to have."
Champion jockey Mark Zahra insists Observer only needs to get the plan half-right in order to justify his billing as the short-priced favourite in the $2 million Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington.
Zahra enters the famed Melbourne Cup carnival full of confidence and with a strong book of rides, including Joseph O'Brien-trained Cup fancy Al Riffa and Ciaron Maher's star colt Observer in Saturday's Derby.
Observer demonstrated his class two starts ago in the Caulfield Guineas with his unlucky third and demolished eight rivals last-start in the Moonee Valley Vase.
Zahra steered Observer to a dominant five-length lead but eased right down to win by only a half-length.
The tactic - deployed with an eye towards looking after Observer for the Derby - cost Zahra a $1500 fine for not riding his mount out to the finish.
Observer is a $2.15 Derby favourite from Chris Waller's Providence ($7) and Rory Hunter's Autumn Mystery ($10), with Options and O'Sheamus (both $13) rounding out the top five.
"He's the best horse in the race by far," Zahra said of Observer.
"I don't think any other horse could've run like he did in the (Caulfield) Guineas, which is a great form race.
"The main thing for me is just getting him to relax, but he doesn't have to get the whole part right because he's that much better than them.
"If he can just get the first half right, I think that'll be enough."
Former jockey turned trainer Nick Ryan disagrees, as he chases his first Derby triumph with Miewa ($17) and Highvol ($26).
"That's what Mark thinks but I'm sure he knows that young horses getting over 2500m for the first time at this stage of their career is a big query," Ryan said.
"It's a big query on all the runners and he's got to do it.
"He's riding what looks the class horse and he's the deserved favourite ... but he'll be tested tomorrow."
Co-trainer Calvin McEvoy is confident Options can be among the contenders under Harry Coffey, after winning the Super Impose Stakes two starts ago and being held up badly in the Moonee Valley Vase last-start.
"I think the 2500m will suit," McEvoy said.
"He's a horse that can be competitive in what looks a very hard race."
Zahra, a two-time Melbourne Cup winner, is eyeing multiple Group 1 successes on Saturday.
He will ride favourite Tentyris in the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) and Waller's Leica Lucy in the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), where stablemate Fangirl and Maher's Pride Of Jenni will do battle.
"I'm feeling good. I've got a bit of ammo and a few good rides there," Zahra said.
"This is the week to work towards and I'm in good order."
AAP
G'day everyone and welcome to our Derby Day live blog.
We have a huge day to come as we lead up to the Victoria Derby, including plenty of fashion coverage and the news and analysis from the races.
Please enjoy the coverage to come.