Silvano popular Down Under Leading German challenger Silvano has been all the rage with punters as the build-up continues to the latest leg of the Emirates World Series, the Carlton Draught Cox Plate at Moonee Valley, Melbourne on Saturday.Victory in the near-Stg£1 million contest will see Silvano leap to the head of the table in the worldwide series, although the position could change before Saturday is out.Current leaders Fantastic Light and Galileo contest their own battles at Belmont Park`s Breeders Cup meeting in New York.The former takes in the Breeders` Cup Turf while Galileo attempts to add the Breeders` Cup Classic to his King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes success in the series.These races take place around 14 hours after the eight-runner Australian showpiece.Current favourite in Melbourne is the hat-trick seeking Sunline but her role as market leader is being challenged by the German invader, who is chasing his fourth Group One success in as many countries.Having already been successful in Singapore, Hong Kong and the United States this year, Silvano is now as low as 15-4 third-favourite to land the 12-furlong event from an early morning price on the Victoria Tab of 5-1.Meanwhile, Sunline has seen her price drift to around 13-8 from 6-4.Trainer Andreas Wohler had a smile on his face this morning as he left the Sandown track which has been home to the five-year-old since his arrival from Germany.'He`s good and we are looking forward to Saturday`s race,' he said, after ensuring the well-being of his charge just 48 hours before race day.Also looking forward to Saturday is Andrasch Starke, jockey to Silvano`s compatriot Caitano.Starke visited Sandown this morning for the first time since arriving on Tuesday night and was delighted with his canter on the eight-year-old, the oldest horse in the eight strong field.'He`s very well,' said Starke. 'He is an easy horse to get on with, he knows his business.'Starke believes his horse will benefit from the strong pace which is sure to be set with Sunline and Northerly in the field.'We need a fast pace. I will then wait with them and hopefully attack on the short straight,' he added.
