Gerald Ryan can’t split stablemates Hot Snitzel and Dances On Stars as the pair prepare to clash in Saturday’s Magic Millions QTC Cup at Eagle Farm.

The Rosehill trainer can make a case for both horses with Hot Snitzel dropping significantly in grade while Dances On Stars has been racing in great heart during a Brisbane campaign which has already yielded a win in the Prime Minister’s Cup at the Gold Coast.

“It will come down to luck in running,” Ryan said.

Hot Snitzel has contested weight-for-age company at his past two starts and while he was unplaced in the BTC Cup and Doomben 10,000, he wasn’t disgraced in either.

A return to handicap conditions and a drop in grade from Group One company will be factors in his favour on Saturday.

“He will back up and he’s back to his right type of race,” Ryan said.

“His last two runs have been in Group One, weight-for-age races and he just quite wasn’t up to them.”

Dances On Stars has become a regular carnival visitor and finished third in both the Champagne Classic and Sires’ Produce Stakes as a juvenile.

He returned last winter when he placed in the Gold Coast and Queensland Guineas.

Ryan said the horse had again thrived in the Queensland sunshine and had done well since his last-start fourth in the BRC Sprint.

Neither of Ryan’s charges will press on further into the carnival with the trainer confirming the pair will be spelled after Saturday’s race.