The Warwick Stakes holds a unique place in Australian racing history and it's not just because of its striking honour roll.

Kingston Town won it three times, his fellow inaugural Hall of Fame inductees Tulloch and Bernborough have also won it along with champions including Sunline and dual winners Super Impose and Lonhro.

But, arguably, the most famous - or infamous - winner of the 1400-metre Group 2 that will this Saturday be run at Sydney's Warwick Farm is a horse that many racing fans would not have even heard of.

Pablo's Pulse won the 1987 edition at the staggering price of 500-1, still the longest price winner of a Group or Listed race in Australian racing history.

The three-year-old had placed just once in four previous starts - in a lowly age-restricted no-metro-wins race at Randwick - yet still managed to deny a superstar of the day in Campaign King.

It was a painful result, but Saturday's race is more likely to produce a Hall of Famer than a Pablo's Pulse-style blowout.

Gai Waterhouse-trained warrior Theseo is one of eight Group 1 winners in the $175,000 event that has attracted 14 runners - none of which are maidens.

In an era when Australian racing fans are lamenting the dearth of weight-for-age stars, Theseo's record goes largely under-appreciated.

Since winning the Group 1 Epsom Handicap in October 2008, the son of Danewin has become our most enduring weight-for-age performer since the likes of Sunline, Northerly and Lonhro retired.

In that time the now seven-year-old has race 14 times for five wins and three minor placings with all but one of those top-three efforts coming at Group 1 level.

A Mackinnon Stakes, the past two Ranvet Stakes and a Chipping Norton are among the wins, while the placings have been a nose defeat in last year's Australian Cup, a narrow BMW second and a third when resuming in the Orr Stakes.

His failures have been in the past two Doncasters, a Cox Plate, BMW and this year's Apollo Stakes, when he was first up for almost a year.

Gai Waterhouse knows the gelding doesn't get the credit he deserves, but hopes that might change after the Australian Racehorse of the Year awards on September 5.

"He was the Australian Champion Middle Distance horse last year and could easily take it out again this year," she said. "He's just a joyous creature to train."

But before that he will commence a campaign aimed at avenging the nightmare that was his last trip to Moonee Valley, home of the $3 million Cox Plate.

Waterhouse had to pull the pin on last year's Cox Plate campaign before it even began, devastating jockey Nash Rawiller, who was desperate to atone for the previous year when he admitted to not giving Theseo the best of rides.

Waterhouse confirmed the October 23 feature at Moonee Valley was again his target, suggesting he fitted the profile of recent winners of the 2040-metre test.

"His main aim is the Cox Plate and it seems to be a race won by one or another type of horse," she said. "It's either the warhorse, the older horse that goes in crash, bang, wallop like him, or it's won by the young three-year-old."

After Saturday, Theseo will run in the Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick on September 4 before chasing a sixth Group 1 win in the George Main Stakes on September 25.

It will then be down to Melbourne for the Group 1 Yalumba Stakes at Caulfield on October 9 before, hopefully, Cox Plate redemption.

But with his Grand Final still nine weeks away, Waterhouse isn't expecting Theseo to buck his trend of needing at least one run before striking top form.

That's a good thing with a classy field of rivals assembled.

Three-time Group 1 winner Danleigh, fellow Cox Plate hopeful Metal Bender, Stradbroke winner Sniper's Bullet, Doncaster hero Triple Honour and rising star Brilliant Light are among his likely rivals.

The Warwick Stakes is the highlight of a cracking card featuring some of the leading contenders for the spring's three-year-old headline acts.

Obsequious and Solar Charged, who fought out the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes two weeks back, will clash with Golden Slipper placegetter More Strawberries, Ambers Waltz and Chance Bye in the Silver Shadow Stakes.

Champagne Stakes winner Skilled resumes in the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes, in which Golden Slipper runner-up Decision Time and Theseo's promising stablemate Brightexpectations.

Brad Bishop is an award-winning writer in both equine codes. He has also worked in the media unit at both Racing Victoria Ltd and Harness Racing Victoria.