Saturday night’s Group 2 CKH Painting Shepparton Cup shapes as one for the ages, with genuine winning chances spread across every box.

Recent Ballarat Cup winner Off The Chart heads the market for trainer Peter Presutto and will jump from box four. He was dominant in his heat from box five, but will need to improve early, sitting just under a length slower to the first mark than some of his key rivals.

That includes Canya Excite Me, who produced a scorching 6.38-second first split in her heat – just a whisker outside the track record. She was the fastest qualifier and will step from box six, a rug she is yet to wear in her 15-start career.

Dewana Star adds further intrigue after defeating Australian Cup winner Dramatical in their heat with a faultless display. Undefeated in five starts at Shepparton, his record includes a near track record run over 390m and a Group 3 Northern Districts Cup victory. He has drawn box two for trainer Brendan Dewan.

Dewana Star (1) defeats Dramatical (3) in their Shepparton Cup heat on Monday. 

Dramatical exits box three for Jason Thompson. Despite the heat defeat, his talent is undeniable.

“He trialled 24.68 there so we know he can run quick and that he can win any race he is in,” Thompson said.

“But like every dog in this final, he needs luck. There’s no doubting his ability.

“He didn’t need to win the heat – he just needed to qualify, and he did that.”

Adding interstate depth is NSW chaser Gold Force (8), a recent Group 2 Bulli Gold Cup winner. He comes into tonight’s final after a strong heat performance and will jump from box seven.

Brooke Ennis has a two ponged attack on the Cup with Barooga Jim in box one, and Robinson in box eight.

Ned McDonald has the outsider of the field in Dapper Chap.

The Group 2 CKH Painting Shepparton Cup is Race 9 on Saturday night’s card, scheduled to jump at 8:58pm.