1

Duke De Sessa 

Last year’s G1 Caulfield Cup winner who continues to race in career-best form with last start second to Dubai Honour in G1 over 2400m. Yet to race at 3200m but one of the top hopes. 

2

Arapaho  

Tough, consistent stayer with 9 wins and 9 placings from 43 starts. Unplaced in 2 attempts at 3200m but ran well last start when fourth in G1 over 2400m behind Dubai Honour. Can’t be ruled out. 

3

Zarir 

Winner of 4 of 12 starts from 2400m to 2700m. Easily held on Australian debut in G1 over 2400m behind Dubai Honour but capable of sharp improvement and fitter now. 

4

Circle Of Fire

Won the 2024 Sydney Cup and has steadily built form and fitness in 3 runs this preparation. Should be peaking now after last start fifth behind Dubai Honour in G1 over 2400m. 

5

Athabascan 

Ran second in the G1 Sydney Cup (3200m) last year to Circle Of Fire and returned to form with second in G3 over 2400m on 22 March. Ran moderate ninth in G2 over 2600m at Randwick on 5 April. One of the chances. 

6

Zardozi 

Quality mare who finished fourth in the 2024 G1 Melbourne Cup over 3200m and has been performing well over shorter distances this preparation. Placed at her past 3 runs and ready to fire. 

7

Warmonger 

Winner of the G1 Queensland Derby over 2400m but has mixed his form since. Latest was a distant 10th behind Dubai Honour in G1 over 2400m at Rosehill but could be considered on previous start when second over 2000m at Randwick. 

8

Alalcance 

Racing in career-best form with 4 wins from her past 6 starts. Loves to lead and will be hard to run down again. Won easily in G2 over 2600m on 5 April. Hard to beat if allowed an easy lead. 

9

River Of Stars 

Smart former European stayer who boasts 4 wins up to 2896m. Resumed and led when a fading seventh behind Dubai Honour in G1 over 2400m at Rosehill. Will be improved by that run and is one of the chances. 

10

Cleveland 

Former Irish galloper who has mixed his form since arriving in Australia. Won a G2 over 2500m at Moonee Valley in 2023 and showed glimpses of his best with a last-start fourth in a G3 over 2400m at Rosehill. Has won up to 3749m in England. 

11

Francesco Guardi

Winner of five races up to 2500m, but has struggled this preparation. Faded to 11th of 20 in G2 over 2600m at Randwick on 5 April. Needs to lift.

12

Lastotchka 

Former European with 4 wins from 17 starts and finished 7th in a G2 over 2600m at Randwick on 5 April. Ran fairly at previous start when 6th in G3 over 2400m. Place chance. 

13  

Mostly Cloudy

Tough stayer with six wins up to 3318m. Led and finished third over 2600m at Flemington on 29 March. Extremely fit and will run the trip.

14  

Tajanis

In great form and must be included on last-start second in G2 Auckland Cup over 3200m on soft ground. Previous form was impeccable. One of the leading hopes.

15  

Birdman

Emerging stayer who has shown quality against older rivals. Finished strongly for second in G2 over 2600m at Randwick on 5 April. Definite hope.

16  

Valiant King

Has only one win from 16 starts but fought on strongly when third in G2 over 2600m at Randwick on 5 April. Place chance.

17

Garachico

Experienced stayer who finished fourth over 2600m at Flemington on 29 March. Has won up to 2800m and is extremely fit. One of the place chances.

18  

Strathtay

Steadily building form and ran well when sixth in G2 over 2600m at Randwick on 5 April. Made up a lot of ground in the straight last start.

19 

Age Of Sail

Former hurdler who has found good form on the flat, including fine last-start fourth in G2 over 2600m at Randwick on 5 April. Outside chance.

20 

Waltham

Former Irish-trained stayer who is racing into form at the right time. Followed 2400m win on the Gold Coast with moderate eighth in G2 over 2600m at Randwick on 5 April.

Reserves

21

Hopeful

Six-time winner up to 2400m, who ran well when fifth in G2 over 2600m at Randwick on 5 April. Relishes rain-affected ground with all career wins coming in soft or heavy conditions.

22  

Mr Waterville 

Former Irish stayer who has won up to 3420m but is yet to show best form in Australia. Well beaten when 14th in G2 over 2600m at Randwick on 5 April. Needs to improve.

23
 

Bacio Del Mist

Won over 2110m three starts ago but struggled when 13th of 20 runners in G2 over 2600m at Randwick on 5 April. Hard to have.