There are 16 starters in today's race and Volkstok'n'barrell will start from the outside barrier but one. Meaning Craig Williams will almost certainly go back in the early rush rather than push forward to try and cross the field.
One of the reasons for that is when you are attempting to find out where you are with a horse - and the camp is - if you push hard early and weaken late you're never quite sure whether that is because of the gas used early or because the horse isn't quite where you need it.
Relax towards the back and let them run on means you get a much better feel of where you are. And the Volkstok'n'barrell team need to know whether they should head towards the 2400m Caulfield Cup or the shorter Cox Plate.
They are relying on this race - and Williams - to tell them.
"You can't give riders like Craig Williams instructions, so we'll be leaving it to him whether he goes forward or back early," said Gibbs.
"There is a fair bit of pace in the race and he's not really ready to push hard early. I'd like to see him have one more run before adopting tactics like that."
One confidence the camp can rely on is the knowledge Volkstok'n'barrell always tries his best, so wherever he finishes couldn't be much improved on, barring bad luck.
Volkstok'n'barrell galloped with local trainer John Sadler's imported Mutual Regard on Tuesday morning and pleased Gibbs.
His New Zealand arch rival Mongolian Khan kicks off his 4-year-old campaign in the same race and has drawn a much more friendly barrier No7. He has plenty of class, won fresh when making his racing debut and won his only start at 1600m.
Class takes them a long way and Mongolian Khan will run some sort of race.
Fawkner and the Memsie winner Boban will be the locals to beat.
• Chris Waller is certain the Golden Rose can bring out the best in Press Statement, clearing the way for the colt to become a benchmark three-year-old of Australian racing.
Press Statement is the only Group 1 winner in the A$1 million race at Rosehill today and Waller is counting on his class edge to complement a preference for firm ground and 1400 metres.
"Fourteen hundred metres on a good track will suit him, it will be able to have him near his peak and then it's a matter of finding out if that peak is good enough," Waller said.
Waller likens Press Statement to Zoustar and Brazen Beau, two colts with sprinting pedigrees he moulded into marketable stallion prospects at a comparative stage of their careers.
Zoustar won the 2013 Golden Rose and Waller has given Press Statement an identical campaign after the colt's win in the Group 1 J J Atkins during the Brisbane winter carnival.
Vinery Stud and the China Horse Club have bought 50 per cent of Press Statement.
• Quality mare Noble Protector will be entering uncharted waters when she returns to racing at Flemington.
A dual winner first-up from four attempts, Noble Protector will be having her first start at a trip shorter than 1600m when she lines up in the Group 2 Let's Elope Stakes (1400m) today.
Noble Protector is the $3.60 favourite for her return.
Trainer Robert Smerdon said Noble Protector could head straight to the Toorak Handicap at Caulfield on October 10 without another run, although there was the possibility she could start in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) on September 26.
Additional reporting AAP
