There have been some famous upsets in match races, but jockeys Zac Purton and Joao Moreira are not feeling any extra pressure going into the Champions Mile.

In Australia, when anyone sees a Group One match race, the first response is usually two words - Dandy Andy. The 1988 Australian Cup was a match of New Zealand's champion, Bonecrusher, and Australia's superstar, Vo Rogue, until Dandy Andy whooshed home at 125-1 in an upset that entered folklore.

The Able Friend and Luger matchup on Sunday is as eagerly anticipated as the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight but a horse race has other combatants and the spotlight is on the riders.

"People only think about the ones that didn't turn out, but I can think of plenty that didn't disappoint," said Luger's rider, Purton. "Able Friend and Designs On Rome last year, or Designs On Rome and Military Attack. Ambitious Dragon and Glorious Days. I'm not underestimating the others, but it's hard not to think Able Friend or Luger will win it."

Most agree - and that scenario that can have the jockeys on the favourites paying too much attention to each other.

"The main thing is not to over-complicate it," says Moreira. "Of course, you have to look at what the main opponent is doing - I wouldn't want Luger to get three or four lengths in front of me - but you must respect other horses."

Purton said the pace, not a lack of respect, was the danger.

"Small fields usually mean someone gets the lead and controls it without pressure, so they are often sit-and-sprint races, messy races," he said.

"Gate six for me isn't ideal - horses inside that normally get back might push up more because of the slower speed. At least I'll be out in the clear. For Joao, the danger is ending up back and inside, and locked away."

For most of this season, nobody has faced Able Friend over the Sha Tin mile with confidence, but Purton is hopeful.

"Able Friend has run nearly every month of the season," Purton said. "Last time, he didn't look the force he had been and it's hard to keep bringing him up at his best again and again. Luger has the fresh legs and this is the first time all season I think we might get close to Able Friend."