Trainer Mathew Ellerton finds himself in familiar territory with Sunburnt Land who is first emergency for Saturday's Gilgai Stakes at Flemington.This is the third time this spring the five-year-old has been an emergency for an important sprint event.He was first emergency for the Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington on September 6 and missed a run in the Group Three event won by Bon Hoffa.A week later it was the same deal with the gelding third reserve for the Group One Manikato Stakes (12

Trainer Mathew Ellerton finds himself in familiar territory with Sunburnt Land who is first emergency for Saturday's Gilgai Stakes at Flemington.

This is the third time this spring the five-year-old has been an emergency for an important sprint event.

He was first emergency for the Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) at Flemington on September 6 and missed a run in the Group Three event won by Bon Hoffa.

A week later it was the same deal with the gelding third reserve for the Group One Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley and again not gaining a start in the event won by Typhoon Zed.

Ellerton was hoping for a scratching to give Sunburnt Land a crack at Saturday's Group Two 1200m sprint feature, a race the trainer has won with Black Bean in 1999 and Recapitalize in 2004.

"It's a pivotal day to the spring carnival but unless something walked out this afternoon a bit scratchy I'd imagine he'd be in his box on Saturday," Ellerton said.

"The whole of Australasia is here at the moment and it's pretty tough."

If he doesn't sneak into the field on Saturday Ellerton said he would wait for the Group Two Thai Airways International Sprint (1100m) on Caulfield Cup Day, October 18.

Sunburnt Land has a handicapping rating of 103 and an impressive strike rate of seven wins from 15 starts but his relatively light prizemoney earnings of $181,500 have gone against him.

He has won his past three starts, all over 1200m, at Sandown and the Listed Straight Six at Flemington, both last May, and first up in the Hussonet Cup at Caulfield on September 20 beating Sea Battle and Rockpecker.

Chris Symons, who has ridden him in his last six wins, will retain the mount if he gains start.

Sunburnt Land has drawn barrier two in the field of 16 plus three emergencies.

Grand Duels, winner of the Aurie's Star Hcp and runner-up in the Bobbie Lewis Quality at his two spring appearances to date, is the $5.50 favourite with TAB Sportsbet ahead of Stavka at $6, Publishing and El Cambio at $7, Murtajill at $7.50, Vormista at $10.00, Sunburnt Land and Hurried Choice at $11 with Swick next best at $13.