14 top horses have declared for the 2014 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley Racecourse this weekend after nominations were taken on Monday.

Trust In A Gust headlines the Crystal Mile nominations. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

The Group 2 Schweppes Crystal Mile (1600m) has seen its nominations extended until 10:00am Tuesday (AEDT) since the field limit hasn’t been met, but the field is still full of exciting and classy runners, including the Darren Weir-trained Trust In A Gust.

The four-year-old horse has had a very successful spring season with four wins and a second placing. His last two starts in particular have been sensational, winning dual Group One races the Sir Rupert Clarke Charity Cup (1400m) and Toorak Handicap (1600m).

He saw his weight increase from 52kg to 56.5kg for the Toorak following a blitzing finish in the Sir Rupert Clarke, just a neck ahead of Dissident, but even that couldn’t stop him from winning, nor could a wide start from barrier 11.

Trust In a Gust will be hard to beat this Saturday over the mile, however there’s plenty of tough competition to give him a run for his money, including stablemate Lucky Hussler.

Lucky Hussler, also trained by Darren Weir, ended his winter campaign with a disappointing last-place finish in the Group 1 Stradbroke (1400m) but proved his worth when he returned in spring with a third, two seconds, and a win from his four starts. The gelding will back-up from Saturday’s Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m), which he easily won by over three lengths.

The Chris Waller-trained He’s Your Man is dually nominated for the Cox Plate but will be a top runner if he declares for the Crystal Mile.

Like Trust In A Gust, this horse has had a winning spring campaign with three wins and a minor placing to his name. The six-year-old won over the distance last time out in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) so can definitely go the distance.

The Colin Scott-trained Speediness is one of the most experienced horses to be nominated, with 34 career starts to his name – seven of which he won and 11 of which he placed in.

The gelding faltered in the Sir Rupert Clarke after putting in too much work mid race, coming home second-last to Trust In A Gust, but turned it around in the Toorak for second. He looked like a chance at the furlong but couldn’t quite get past Trust In A Gust once again.

For the third consecutive time Speediness will face off against Trust In A Gust, hoping to beat the horse for the first time.

Gai Waterhouse is dually represented by Woodbine and Group 2 Shannon Stakes (1500m) runner-up Liberty’s Choice while Hawkes Racing’s Atlante is looking to atone for a last place finish in the Toorak.

Whether more nominations are taken for the race on Tuesday or not, this is shaping up to one race with a stellar field.

Check out the complete list of 2014 Crystal Mile nominations below to get an idea of the full race card.

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2014 Schweppes Crystal Mile Nominations