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Goldfields Battle plan

William Pike guides Brave Knight to victory. Kyra Yuill has the mount on the veteran galloper in tomorrow’s Coolgardie Cup. Picture: Scott Hollands

Dual-licensed trainer Grant Williams is leaning towards the class of Battle Emblem over his well-drawn stablemate Brave Knight in tomorrow's $100,000 Focus Minerals Coolgardie Cup (1600m).

In his first assault on the rich Kalgoorlie thoroughbred carnival, Williams has two strong chances in this year's Pinjarra Cup (2300m) winner Battle Emblem and rejuvenated veteran Brave Knight.

Williams put Battle Emblem on top yesterday despite facing a wide draw in barrier 11 and Brave Knight, in his third start for the stable, being ideally drawn in five.

Battle Emblem returns from a let-up and Williams has taken confidence from his barnstorming third in the Belmont Sprint (1400m) in June when the galloper had a similar break between runs.

"He does go good after a freshen-up," Williams said.

"He went real good first-up last time (Belmont Sprint) and that's what I'm going on.

"He's got a bit of weight (57.5kg) and a bad barrier, so hopefully he gets a bit of luck and he'll be hitting the line strongly.

"I'm still leaning to him. He's the class runner but the other guy has the barrier."

Brave Knight, thriving for Williams since connections transferred him from Sharon Miller's stables, ran an impressive fourth behind the in-form Answers Are over 1650m at Belmont Park last month.

The seven-year-old won his next start, nailing Ten Aces on the line over 1400m a fortnight ago.

The form was franked when Ten Aces scored brilliantly by two lengths when backing up last Saturday.

Brave Knight also has the advantage of experience at the Kalgoorlie track after running third in the past two Coolgardie cups.

Williams said the Fasliyev gelding had thrived on bush work since joining his stable.

"We think he's on top of his game, it's just a matter of whether he's good enough," Williams said.

"He should be on the pace somewhere hopefully and has gone well at Kal before.

"He's come along well and the distance will suit."

Last season's leading apprentice Kyra Yuill will ride Brave Knight.

Battle Emblem will be ridden by William Pike, who delivered Williams his first Group 1 thoroughbred win with Dreamaway in the WATC Derby last April.

Player's opening favourite for the Coolgardie Cup, Kincaple, firmed from $4.60 to $3.80, with Trustee Brown on the second line at $5.50. Battle Emblem and Gondorff are $8 chances and Our Ol'Fella is at $9. Brave Knight is at $15.

Peach Tree, who has been sold and will head to stud for broodmare duties after the cup, is a $14 chance.

· Playing God arrived in Melbourne yesterday for his crucial step towards the $3 million Cox Plate (2040m) - next Saturday's Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.

Stablemate God Has Spoken joined Playing God, who resumed with a fast-finishing second to Idyllic Prince in last Saturday's Goodwood Sprint, on the flight out of Perth early yesterday.

Bridgestone is still a chance to join the duo after next Saturday's Farnley Stakes at Belmont Park but trainer Neville Parnham is leaning towards a Perth Cup tilt instead.

"God Has Spoken went with him but he's still a few weeks away from starting," Parnham said.

"We've got nothing big aimed for him but there's plenty of prize money on offer over the carnival.

"Hopefully he can strike some dry tracks.

"We'll decide what to do with Bridgestone after the Farnley but we'll probably give him a let-up and bring him back for the first day back at Ascot (Northerly Stakes)."