1

Nature Strip

Last year’s winner. Won the G1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot by 4.5L before returning to Australia and winning the G2 The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on 17 September.

2

Eduardo

Finished 3rd last year. Won G3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) on heavy track 3 September before 1.65L 4th to Nature Strip in G2 The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on 17 September. Won barrier trial 7 October.

3

Lost And Running

Ran 4th this race last year but racing better in 2022. Finished well to win G2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on 1 October.

4

Masked Crusader

Finished 2nd last year. Ran 3.11L 6th to Nature Strip in G2 The Shorts (1100m) before closing 0.42L 3rd to Lost And Running in G2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on 1 October.

5

Mazu

Raced on speed when 0.29L 2nd to Lost And Running in G2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on 1 October. Lightly raced and still improving.

6

Private Eye

Dropped back to 1200m when impressive 2.25L in G2 Gilgai Stakes at Flemington on 1 October. Won four of five at 1200m.

7

Overpass

Beaten 2.12L when 6th to Lost And Running in G2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on 1 October after 1.35L 2nd to Nature Strip in G2 The Shorts.

8

Ingratiating

Finished well when 0.75L 2nd in G2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield last Saturday. No wins, four placings from six starts at 1200m.

9

Joyful Fortune

Former HK galloper who won Flemington 1100m BM70 Handicap by 4.25L at Australian debut on 18 September. Won barrier trial 4 October.

10

Shades Of Rose

Won seven of nine starts and past four on end. Led when nose winner in G2 Sheraco Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on 10 September.

11

Jacquinot

Impressive in two wins from as many starts this season. Finished strongly when 0.24L win in G1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on 24 September.

12

Giga Kick

Talented 3YO unbeaten in four starts. Latest was nose win in G2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on 1 October.

Reserves

13

Forbidden Love

First reserve. Freshened since 3.56L 8th in G1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on 20 August.

14

Apache Chase

Second reserve. Sound effort when 1.88L 5th to Lost And Running in G2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on 1 October at first start since June.

15

Kementari

Third reserve. Veteran who ran on well when 0.57L 4th to Lost And Running in G2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on 1 October.

16

In The Congo

Caught wide when 6.7L 6th in G2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on 3 September. That was first run since April and has trialled well since.