1

Hartnell

Ran third, in this race last year, beaten 4.4 lengths and was 15th the year before. Last year had run 2nd to Winx in G1 Cox Plate. This year disappointed in lead-up with out of character 6 lengths 9th to Gailo Chop in G1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) on 14 October. Handles all conditions and likely to settle in forward position.

2

Almandin

Won this race last year, jumps ten pounds in the handicap weights. Won Listed race at 2500m this track on 16 September before 3.3 lengths 4th to Amelie’s Star in G3 Bart Cummings (2500m) on 7 October. Generally races handy to midfield. Best form on good ground but has one win on a soft rated track.

3

Humidor

Impressive last week when gave the champion mare Winx a fright running her to a long neck when second in the G1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on 28 October. Not raced beyond 2400m at which he’s been placed. Generally ridden back in the field. Has performed on good, soft and heavy ground.

4

Tiberian

French trained visitor who comes off successive wins over 2500m at Deauville. Latest was short neck win from Doha Dream in the G2 Grand Prix de Deauville on 27 August. Usually races handy and has won on good and soft ground. Form ties in with well fancied Marmelo who ran well in Caulfield on Australian debut.

5

Marmelo

Impressive in winning the G2 Prix Kergorlay (3000m) at Deauville on 20 August before doing best work late when 2.7 lengths 6th to Boom Time in G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on 21 October at Australian debut. Can be ridden forward or back. Best form on good ground. One soft track win was in maiden grade.

6

Red Cardinal

Visitor prepared by Andreas Wohler who won this race in 2014 with Protectionist. Won G3 Belmont Gold Cup at this distance in June (in USA) before 6.3 lengths 5th to Marmelo in the G2 Prix Kergorlay (3000m) at Deauville on 20 August. Has raced handy in small fields but likely to settle back here. Best form on dry but had little exposure to soft ground. Unbeaten at distance.

7

Johannes Vermeer

Has finished strongly in both runs in Australia. Arguably unlucky when 1.4 lengths 3rd to Boom Time in G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on 21 October. This is first run beyond 2400m. Best form on good rated track but has also won on the soft. Likely to settle back in the field.

8

Bondi Beach

Well beaten when 13th in this race last year and well beaten in only two starts since. Latest was 10.9 lengths 11 to Almandin in Listed JRA Trophy (2500m) at Flemington on 16 September. Races off speed. Won on good, soft and heavy ground.

9

Max Dynamite

Runner-up in this race in 2015 and has started only four times since. Latest run was 3 lengths win from Sandymount in modest Killarney Handicap at 3400m on 24 August. Settles back in the field. Four wins have come on tracks with some give but the ground was good when ran well here two years ago.

10

Ventura Storm

Looked on target when 2nd to champion mare Winx, albeit beaten 6.5 lengths, in the G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at this track on 7 October. Then had bruised heel when 6.4 lengths 13th to Boom Time in G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on 21 October. Likely to settle back in the field. Has won on good and soft ground. Placed up to 2900m in Europe.

11

Who Shot Thebarman

Contesting this race for fourth year running. Finished 3rd in 2014, an unlucky 11th in 2015 and 5th last year. Returned to form with 0.5 lengths win from Libran in G2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) on 28 October. Strong finisher capable all conditions.

12

Wicklow Brave

Disappointed when 22nd of 24 in this race last year but returns for another try. Fair effort when 5.4 lengths 12th to Boom Time in G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on 21 October. Prefers some give in the ground and very soft conditions would be a plus. Can be ridden handy to speed or back.

13

Big Duke

Consistent stayer who performs on all track conditions and placed one previous attempt at the distance. Strong win in the 2600m St Leger at Randwick before 2.1 lengths 4th to Who Shot Thebarman in G2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) on 28 October. Usually races handy to speed.

14

Us Army Ranger

Runner-up in the Epsom Derby last year but has to improve on recent form. Well beaten in G1 Goodwood Cup (3200m)  and G3 Kilternan Stakes (2400m) since 3 lengths 3rd to Oriental Fox and Thomas Hobson in the 4330m Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot in June. Handles all ground. Generally ridden off the pace.

15

Boom Time

Best of on-pace runners when 2.4 lengths 4th to Lord Fandango and Wall Of Fire in G2 Herbert Power (2400m) on 14 October. Then enjoyed good run but impressed with 1.25 lengths win from Single Gaze in G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on 21 October. Best form on good ground. Likely to race handy to speed.

16

Gallante

Won Sydney Cup at the distance on soft ground last year but struggling for form. Moderate effort when 3.8 lengths 7th to Vengeur Masque in G3 Geelong (2400m) on 25 October. Beaten total of 40 lengths in two previous runs. Likely to race on speed if not lead. Needs soft to heavy ground to be competitive.

17

Libran

Sound effort when 0.5 lengths 2nd to Who Shot Thebarman in G2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) on 28 October. Tough stayer who ran second in the 2016 Sydney Cup at this distance. Capable good and soft ground. Likely to be ridden off the speed.

18

Nakeeta

Sound win by a head from Flymetothestars in the Ebor Handicap (2771m) at York in UK at latest run on 26 August. Last year’s Melbourne Cup runner-up had won the same race. Handles good and soft ground and generally saved for late run.

19

Single Gaze

Tough on-pace effort when 1.25 lengths 2nd to Boom Time in G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on 21 October. Consistent mare who races handy to the speed and has won on good and soft ground.

20

Wall Of Fire

Impressed at Australian debut with strong finish, under top weight, to run 1 length 2nd to Lord Fandango in G2 Herbert Power (2400m) at Caulfield on 14 October. Takes similar path to 2014 winner Protectionist. Strong closer who can perform on good and soft ground.

21

Thomas Hobson

Sound effort when 1.5 lengths 2nd to Desert Skyline in G2 Doncaster Cup (3579m) on 15 September. Desert Skyline has run second to Marmelo in the Prix Kergorlay. Strong stayer likely to be running on late and proven all conditions.

22

Rekindling

Solid effort when 2.1 lengths 4th to Capri in G1 St Leger (2905m) at Doncaster on 16 September. Has similar profile to Mahler who ran third in this race in 2007. Likely to settle off the speed and can handle good or soft ground.

23

Amelie’s Star

Impressed with 2 lengths win in G3 Bart Cummings (2500m) at this track on 7 October. Then ridden against usual pattern to lead last time when 5.3 lengths 11th to Boom Time in G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on 21 October. Likely to settle off the speed. Best form on good tracks but has won on soft ground.

24

Cismontane

Secured place in the field with tough all the way win in the G3 Lexus Stakes (2500m) at this track on Saturday. Tough, consistent stayer who handles all track conditions. Two horses have won the Cup after winning the Lexus on Saturday.