1

Best Solution

Brilliant ride from wide gate but nonetheless impressive in nose win from Homesman in G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on 20 October. Untried at this distance but strong through line at Caulfield. Seeks to become 12th horse to win Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double.

2

The Cliffsofmoher

Sound in two runs in Australia, finishing well each time. Beaten 2.5 lengths when 4th to Cox Plate runner-up Benbatl in G1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) on 13 October before 1.85 lengths 3rd to Best Solution in G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on 20 October. Epsom Derby runner-up at three at 2405 metres which is longest race he has contested.

3

Magic Circle

UK stayer who has scored big margins wins in only two runs in 2018. Returned from break with 6 lengths win from Fun Mac in 3749m Chester Cup on 11 May. Then beat Red Verdon by the same margin in G3 Henry II Stakes (3264m) at Sandown on 24 May. No distance doubts with this fellow.

4

Chestnut Coat

Disappointed when 10.4 lengths 13th to Best Solution in G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on 20 October at Australian debut. However ground was soft which may not have suited. Sound effort only run at 3200m when 1.8 lengths 5th to Rainbow Line in the G1 Tenno Sho (Spring).

5

Muntahaa

Impressive in 3.25 lengths win from Weekender in the rich Ebor Handicap (2771m) at York on 25 August. Likes good ground, distance won’t trouble and the Ebor has been good guide to this race in recent years.

6

Sound Check

Australian debut when 10.2 lengths 12th to Best Solution in G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on 20 October. Settled well back on that occasion and slow early pace did not assist. Strong German black type form before arriving including G2 Oleander-Rennen win at this distance, beating Nearly Caught.

7

Who Shot Thebarman

Back to form with strong finishing 2.4 lengths 4th to Ventura Storm in G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) on 27 October. Finished 3rd (2014), 5th (2016) and 11th (2015) in three previous attempts at this race.

8

Ace High

Derby winner at three and form sound in this campaign before failing to handle the soft ground when 11.4 lengths 15th to Best Solution in G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on 20 October. Capable of better if the ground is firmer.

9

Marmelo

Top UK stayer who tackles the race fresh, unlike last year when he finished 9.75 lengths 9th to Rekindling. Won at 2770m and 2800m in June and July before last start 2.5 lengths 2nd to Holdthasigreen in G2 Prix Kergorlay (3000m) at Deauville on 19 August. Ran well 2nd to Vazirabad at 3000m earlier in the year.

10

Avilius

Godolphin import who won at his first four starts in Australia for new trainer James Cummings. Fourth of those was nose win from Jaameh in G3 Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on 6 October. Then tuned up for this with satisfactory 7.75 lengths 4th to champion mare Winx in the G1 Cox Plate (2040m) on 27 October. Unknown at this distance.

11

Yucatan

Much improved since the blinkers went on three starts back. Debuted in Australia with stunning win in the G2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield on 13 October. Official margin was 1.25 lengths, from Brimham Rocks, but could have been four times greater had jockey not eased him down in final stages. Hard to beat.

12

Auvray

Ran 1.25 lengths 4th to Who Shot Thebarman in this year’s G1 Sydney Cup at second attempt at this distance. Form sound in this campaign before struggling on heavy ground when 8.5 lengths 6th to Big Blue in 2600m St Leger at Randwick on 13 October. Has won up to 3000m and likely to do better if ground is firmer.

13

Finche

Juddmonte import now with Chris Waller. Ran well, under top weight, when 1.5 lengths 3rd to Runaway in G3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on 24 October. That was first run since Group 3 win at 2500m, beating Tiberian, at Deauville in August.

14

Red Cardinal

Moderate effort when 6.75 lengths 11th to Ventura Storm in G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) on 27 October. Import who won twice at this distance on good ground, in Germany and USA, in 2017. Beaten 11.5 lengths when 11th this race last year.

15

Vengeur Masque

Didn’t have the best of luck in running when 4.75 lengths 9th to Best Solution in G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on 20 October. That followed 5.1 lengths 5th to Avilius in G3 Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on 6 October.

16

Ventura Storm

Slow to begin and settled too far back when 5.5 lengths 10th to Best Solution in G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on 20 October. Then ridden closer to speed when 0.4 lengths winner, in track record time, from Trap For Fools in G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) on 27 October. Failed (21st) in this race last year when jockey reported the horse got tongue over the bit.

17

A Prince Of Arran

Sound effort when 1.65 lengths 3rd to Yucatan in G2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield on 13 October. That was first run since June when placed twice at this distance in feature races in USA and UK. Won only one race on turf but has consistent record in 2800-3200m range. Impressive in 0.5 lengths win from Brimham Rocks in G3 Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday. 

18

Nakeeta

Ran very well when 6.4 lengths 5th to Rekindling in this race last year. Forget lead-up run when 14.2 lengths 13th to Ventura Storm in G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) on 27 October as was badly held up behind a tiring horse. Could be dramatic improver.

19

Sir Charles Road

Ran 1.1 lengths 3rd to Who Shot Thebarman in G1 Sydney Cup in April at most recent 3200m start. Sound effort when 0.4 lengths 3rd to Red Alto in G3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) on 31 October. 

20

Zacada

Moderate effort when 7 lengths 12th to Runaway in G3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on 24 October. Nose 2nd to Who Shot Thebarman in G1 Sydney Cup at this distance earlier in the year and rain affected ground would improve his prospects.

21

Runaway

Impressed with strong on-pace win by 0.75 lengths from stablemate Northwest Passage in G3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on 24 October. A winner up to 2800m and still improving.

22

Youngstar

Run better than looks on paper when 4.5 lengths 7th to Best Solution in G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on 20 October. That followed 1 length 2nd to Winx in the G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on 6 October. Untried this distance range but expected to run well.

23

Cross Counter

Godolphin entry who comes here with strong form. Won G3 Gordon Stakes at 2398m at Goodwood in August before head 2nd to Old Persian in G2 Voltigeur Stakes (2371m) at York on 22 August. Looks very well weighted.

24

Rostropovich

Satisfactory effort when 8.75 lengths 5th to Winx in G1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on 27 October. Did some work early in that race and this distance likely to be more suitable. Irish Derby runner-up in June. Comes with similar credentials to last year’s winner Rekindling.