Just nine horses will tackle the mile this Saturday in the 2014 Crystal Mile after five nominated runners failed to declare for the race.

The Group 2 Schweppes Crystal Mile (1600m) is one of six supporting races on Cox Plate Day at Moonee Valley. The field looked to be full of quality runners when Trust In A Gust, He’s Your Man, and Lucky Hussler were all among the nominations on Monday.

However when the final field & barrier draw was released Wednesday morning, only Trust In A Gust remained.

The Darren Weir-trained horse has enjoyed a winning spring season with four wins and one second from his five starts, including back-to-back Group Ones from the Group 1 Rupert Clarke Charity Cup (1400m) and Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) last time out.

The horse has drawn wide again, set to jump from barrier seven with Brad Rawiller in the saddle. Starting wide doesn’t seem to be a disadvantage to Trust In A Gust however, having started wider than gate nine in his two Group One victories.

He will however carry a weight of 58.5kg, which is 6.5 kilos more than he rode with in the Rupert Clarke.

Trust In A Gust is a spectacular horse, having won ten of his 17 career starts and placing in a further five.

With his biggest competition for the Crystal Mile removed, this could be an easy victory for the four-year-old.

Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) winner He’s Your Man and Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) winner Lucky Hussler were both no-shows when the final field was announced, with no replacement start scheduled for either.

Trust In A Gust’s win isn’t guaranteed, there are still eight talented rivals he’ll need to beat home including Speediness.

The Colin Scott-trained gelding is hot on Trust In A Gust’s heels. He misfired in the Rupert Clarke – starting wide from gate 12 then putting too much work in at midfield – coming second-last before returning to successful form in the Toorak Handicap for a fast-finishing second.

He’ll get a good start from barrier four in the Crystal Mile, as he bids to get one-up over Darren Weir’s star.

Hooked is another leading entry, having won the Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) last month before finishing third in the Epsom.

The four-year-old will enjoy the inside run after drawing barrier one with Craig Williams to ride.

Chris Waller’s Bull Point has had a successful spring season, with a win just eluding him. He was a fast finishing second in the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1400m) before finishing third in the Rupert Clarke. He finished midfield last time out in the Toorak, but ran well just one and a half lengths off Trust In a Gust. Perhaps a good jump from barrier two will help the horse take out his first win of the season.

Desert Jeuney rounds out the Toorak Handicap top three all heading to the Crystal Mile, drawing barrier three, while Gai Waterhouse will be represented by Liberty’s Choice.

Check out the 2014 Crystal Mile final field & barrier draw below to get your head around the race card.

Betting markets are due to open at Ladbrokes.com.au shortly, so open your betting account in preparation.

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2014 Crystal Mile Final Field & Barrier Draw

No	Last 10	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Barrier	Weight	Hcp Rating
1	x62720x402	SPEEDINESS	Colin Scott	Nash Rawiller	4	59kg	108
2	1510x040x2	HAVANA REY	Peter Morgan & Craig Widdison	Ms Linda Meech	6	59kg	102
3	x11211x674	AKAVOROUN	Ciaron Maher	Ms Michelle Payne	5	59kg	98
4	53458×5633	DESERT JEUNEY	Nigel Blackiston	James Winks	3	59kg	96
5	1262×12111	TRUST IN A GUST	Darren Weir	Brad Rawiller	7	58.5kg	110
6	85534×4713	HOOKED	John P Thompson	Craig Williams	1	58.5kg	102
7	x1407x3236	BULL POINT	Chris Waller	Ryan Moore	2	58.5kg	101
8	1x2608x180	ATLANTE	Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes	Dwayne Dunn	8	58.5kg	101
9	947223×027	LIBERTY’S CHOICE	Gai Waterhouse	Damien Oliver	9	58.5kg	90