Hucklebuck hasn’t won over a mile or at Group One level but he has an opportunity to deliver on both accounts in the Emirates Stakes.

Trainer Phillip Stokes and owner Thomas Li have decided to give Hucklebuck his chance in Saturday’s $1 million race after his win on Victoria Derby day over 1400m.

Hucklebuck opened as Emirates favourite but his place at the top of the market has been taken by Godolphin import Contributer who has firmed from $7 to $5.

The 1600m is the query for Stokes but he believes a good barrier and the prospect of a genuine tempo in the capacity field should give Hucklebuck the chance to settle in the Group One race.

Tasmanian front-runner The Cleaner is likely to roll along at a true speed.

“He needs all the stars to align and I think he gets that chance on Saturday,” Stokes said.

Hucklebuck notched his seventh win from 12 starts with a second-up victory in the Group Three Yellowglen Stakes last Saturday.

He has three stakes wins over 1400m while his two runs at 1600m have netted a closing second in the 2013 Carbine Club Stakes to Paximadia and an eighth, beaten just over 2-1/2 lengths in the Australian Guineas in a performance Stokes felt had merit.

“He has come through his run last Saturday well,” Stokes said.

“The back-up is not ideal but he can get a bit keen in his races and I’m hoping that it will take a bit of the freshness out of him and get him to relax.”

Jockey Dom Tourneur was keen for Hucklebuck to get his chance in the Emirates after winning on him last Saturday.

“If he raced genuinely and he switched off from the beginning, I genuinely think he’s a miler,” Tourneur said.

“He just gives me that feel.”

Contributer made an impression in winning the Coongy Handicap in his Australian debut, impressing jockey James McDonald with his turn of foot.

Last year’s minor placegetters Smokin’ Joey and Speediness are back to try again.

Last start Group winners Lucky Hussler and Hooked are on the third and fourth lines of betting.