Trainer Bryce Stanaway says punters are getting way over the odds for Prince Vitality who, after months of planning, is ready to run the race of his life in his third Bagot Handicap at Flemington.

Stanaway has likened the seven-year-old, $31 with TAB Sportsbet, to his dual Listed Bagot winner Bold Bard who won the New Year's Day feature in 2002 and 2003 and contested Makybe Diva's first Melbourne Cup in 2003.

"I can't believe he is those odds," Stanaway said. "It is an utterly ridiculous price."

He said realistically Prince Vitality should be a $10 chance and among the favourites instead of the third outsider in the field.

Last start he turned in a super trial for the 2800m Bagot when, at his fourth run this campaign, he finished two-lengths third to Bagot rival Saddler's Story in the Comic Court Handicap (2500m) at Flemington two weeks ago.

Saddler's Story is \$8 for the Bagot and meets Prince Vitality four kilos worse at the weights.

The Zeebac, who ran second in the Comic Court, is also $8, just behind last-start Flemington 2000-metre winner and favourite Grand Destiny at \$7.

Formerly trained by Graeme Rogerson, Prince Vitality has posted seven of his nine wins with Stanaway who believes the best is still ahead of the gelding.

"He is a seven-year-old but he is only just coming of age," Stanaway said

"He is very similar to Bold Bard. He isn't far behind him."

Prince Vitality finished fifth to Gallopin in the 2008 Bagot and seventh to Good Red 12 months ago but Stanaway said this was the first time he had specifically targeted the feature with him.

"When we turned him out last preparation we decided to set him for this one race," Stanaway said.

"We have never done that before and I couldn't be happier with him.

"He just needs some luck."

Trainer Luke Oliver has last year's winner Good Red ($16) and Elmore ($16) lining up for him.

He said Good Red had been a shade disappointing this campaign but was at his right distance on Friday.

"Every run he has been improving and the Bagot looks about as hard as last year," Oliver said.

"We have set him for it and he's definitely going to be a good chance."

He said Elmore was capable of a big run with a liking for Flemington where he won 2600-metre race after finishing second to Ladies In Luck in the Cleanevent Handicap (2800m) in May.

"He always tries hard and without being super-confident he is a chance again," Oliver said.

© AAP 2010 Published 31/12/09