1

Hartnell

Nine-year-old who continues to race well. Boasts 13 wins and 22 placings in 56 career starts and has won up to 3200m so distance no issue. Solid effort last start when 0.85 lengths 3rd in G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on 5 October. Tough assignment with top weight but racing well, capable all conditions and races handy to lead.

2

Mirage Dancer

UK import formerly trained by Sir Michael Stoute. Having first start for Melbourne based Busuttin-Young stable and first since August when 2.3 lengths 2nd in G3 Glorious Stakes (2398m) at Goodwood. Rates highly on best form including a second to Best Solution who won this race last year. Not won on soft ground but has performed well on it. Likely to settle handy to midfield.

3

Mer De Glace

Japanese visitor who has won five races on end including past three at G3 level. Twice ridden in Japan by Australian jockey Damian Lane who takes the mount here. Latest victory was in G3 Kokura Kinen (2000m) on 4 August when scored by a neck. Generally settles back and finishes strongly. Rain affected ground would be a query.

4

Mustajeer

Won the rich Ebor Handicap (2771m) at York on 24 August, scoring by 0.8 lengths from Red Galileo. Since sold and now with Australian trainer Kris Lees. Strong stayer who may want even further than 2400m but fast pace would suit. Handles wet. Likely to settle back in the field.

5

Rostropovich

Ran 4.5 lengths 5th to Cross Counter in last year’s Melbourne Cup and then 7 lengths 7th to Exultant in Hong Kong Vase (Waldgeist was fifth) – when trained by Aidan O’Brien. Now with the David Hayes training team and wasn’t disgraced, with slow pace against, when 4.45 lengths 9th to Kings Will Dream in G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on 5 October. Had strong 2400m form in UK and Ireland. Handles wet and dry. Likely to settle midfield.

6

Finche

G3 winner at 2500m in France in August 2018 before going to the Chris Waller stable. Sound 3.5 lengths 4th to Cross Counter in last year’s Melbourne Cup. Performed well in three runs in 2019. Won G3 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) on 21 September before nose 2nd to stablemate Kings Will Dream in G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on 5 October. Raced like horse looking for further last time. Capable all conditions and likely to settle in prominent position.

7

Gold Mount

Three time winner in Hong Kong who returned to England, where he raced twice in 2019, earlier this year. Scored 2.3 lengths win in Ebor Grand Cup (2771m) at York on 15 June before head 2nd to Red Verdon in G3 Silver Cup, same course and distance, on 13 July. Strong finisher capable good and soft ground. Had excellent soft track form early in career in UK.

8

Red Verdon

Ed Dunlop trained visitor who had no luck in this race last year nor in the Hong Kong Vase. Scored head win in G3 Silver Cup (2771m) at York on 13 July before arguably in wrong part of track when 16 lengths 14th to Mustajeer in Ebor Handicap (2771m) at York on 24 August. Strong finisher with a preference for good ground.

9

Angel Of Truth

Led throughout to win G1 ATC Derby (2400m), on soft ground, last season. Won four of seven on soft and heavy ground; one of four on good. Below best when 4.8 lengths 8th in G2 Hill Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on 5 October but fitter now and better suited this distance. Handles wet, likely leader.

10

Big Duke

Ran on very strongly when 1.1 lengths 5th in G1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on 5 October. Two runs this season have been sound. Strong finisher who is capable all conditions but especially good on soft ground. 

11

Constantinople

Ex-Ballydoyle horse having first run for Hayes training team. Runner-up at past three starts including, latest, when 1.8 lengths 2nd in G2 Great Voltigeur Stakes (2371m) at York on 21 August. Wins on dry but ran well only start on softish ground. Settles off the pace.

12

Mr Quickie

Unlucky when 4.2 lengths 3rd in G1 South Australian Derby (2500m) last season (only start on soft ground) before scoring by 0.75 lengths in the G1 Queensland Derby (2400m). Returned to racing this season with excellent, closing 3rd in G1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington before slow pace against when 4.65 lengths 10th in G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on 5 October. Strong finisher.

13

Crown Prosecutor

Won G1 New Zealand Derby at this distance in March. Finished strongly, at third run this season, when 3.7 lengths 3rd in G1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings on 5 October. Handles all conditions. Can be ridden forward or back.

14

Vow And Declare

Ran very well when 0.75 lengths 2nd to Mr Quickie in G1 Queensland Derby, at this distance, last season. Excellent return to racing, this season, when closing 1.6 lengths 4th in G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on 5 October. Strong finisher who likes good ground but did win maiden on soft track.

15

Brimham Rocks

Looked good winning a 2000m G3 at this track, on good ground, on 21 September. Then battled on fairly when 3.8 lengths 9th in G1 The Metropolitan (2400m) on soft ground at Randwick on 5 October. Strong finisher whose best Australian form has been on good ground.

16

The Chosen One

New Zealander who impressed with strong finishing win, by a half length, from Prince Of Arran in the G2 Herbert Power Stakes at this course and distance last Saturday. Capable wet or dry and can produce a strong finish.

17

Qafila

Raced on speed to win G1 South Australian Derby (2500m) on slightly rain affected ground at Morphettville last season. Just fair in recent runs this season including last Saturday’s 6.9 lengths 8th to The Chosen One in G2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at this track. Generally races handy. Best on good to marginally rain affected ground.

18

Wolfe

Secured place in field with tough on-pace win by 0.2 lengths in G3 Coongy Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on 16 October. That followed sound 2.25 lengths 3rd in G3 Bart Cummings (2520m) at Flemington on 5 October. Front-runner whose wins have come on good ground. Failed only start on soft (which was heavy track).

Reserves

19

Sound

Winner up to 3200m in Europe and boasts G1 second to Best Solution who won this race last year. Now with the Moroney stable in Melbourne. Disadvantaged by slow pace when 3.75 lengths 7th in G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on 5 October. Strong finisher suited by rise in distance and capable all conditions.

20

Neufbosc

Ran 2nd to Kew Gardens in G1 Grand Prix de Paris, at this distance, before export. Now with the Hayes team and was encouraging 4.3 lengths 7th in a 2000m G3 before striking severe interference when distant 13th in G1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on 5 October. Settles back in his races. Prefer on good ground.

21

True Self

Irish visitor who worked home soundly when 3 lengths 6th to Mustajeer in Ebor Handicap (2771m) at York on 24 August. Has won on good ground but excels when the ground is soft. Can race handy but likely to settle midfield here.

22

Prince Of Arran

Last year’s Lexus Stakes (2500m) winner and Melbourne Cup (3200m) 3rd in Australia. Returned with excellent 0.5 lengths 2nd to The Chosen One in G2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at this track on 12 October. Generally races handy to the pace and preferred on good ground.