1

Vauban

Irish raider who was favourite in last year’s Cup but finished 14th. Trainer has changed preparation this time around. Is in excellent form with victory in the Lonsdale Cup (3251m) and 2nd in the Irish St Leger (2800m). Can win.

2

Buckaroo

Didn’t have the best of runs in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) when he got shuffled back but finished strongly for 2nd, beaten 1.25L. Was just beaten by stablemate Via Sistina in Turnbull Stakes (2000m). Leading chance.

3

Circle Of Fire

Early Cup favourite after his Sydney Cup (3200m) win in April. His past three runs, including 10th, beaten 13.9L, in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) have been disappointing. Can improve quickly.

4

Warp Speed

Japanese visitor who failed to fire in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) in his Australian debut but was slow to begin and crowded after the start to finish 16.25L 13th. Has good form at 3000m and beyond and will appreciate a firmer track.

5

Kovalica

Finished 6th in the Cox Plate (2040m) behind stablemate Via Sistina, beaten 11.8L. But his final 200m was the third fastest of the race behind the winner and 3rd placed Broadsiding. Capable enough.

6

Sharp ‘N’ Smart

Hasn’t won since taking out the G1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) in March last year. Finished second in the Victoria Derby at Flemington in 2022. Showed some return to form when ran on strongly from near last to finish 3rd in the Moonee Valley Cup (2500m).

7

Just Fine

Got a golden ticket into the Cup by winning the Bart Cummings (2520m) at Flemington but then finished last in Moonee Valley Cup (2500m). Will be big odds but track suits.

8

Land Legend

Will appreciate a firm surface and the rise to 3200m after finishing 3rd in the Caulfield Cup (2400m), beaten 6.24L. Won the G1 The Metropolitan (2400m) two starts back and profiles well for this.

9

Absurde

Returns from Ireland for another crack at the Cup after finishing 7th last year, beaten 5.45L after being 2nd until the 150m mark. Was a last start winner of the Listed Chester Stakes (2879m) at Chester in August. Can make amends.

10

Athabascan

Last start winner of the G3 St Leger (2600m) at Randwick. Finished 2nd in the Sydney Cup, beaten 2.07L, so the 3200m won’t be a problem. Is versatile but would come into further calculations on soft going.

11

Knight’s Choice

Much improved run in last Wednesday’s Bendigo Cup (2400m) when had held up in the straight to finish 5th.  Had good Queensland form but has struggled in last 3 Melbourne city runs, including 16.45L 14th in Caulfield Cup (2400m).

12

Okita Soushi

Was 11th in last year’s Melbourne Cup and then transferred from Joseph O’Brien to Ciaron Maher. Received a 2.2Ibs penalty for winning last start Moonee Valley Cup (2500m). Has won at 3219m in Ireland and appeals as a light-weight chance.

13

Onesmoothoperator

English galloper who made a sparkling Australian debut when he sprinted away with the G3 Geelong Cup (2400m) to win by 2.25L. The Geelong Cup is a good form line for international raiders. Has won at 3200m and is one of the leading contenders.

14

Zardozi

She settled last but finished strongly on the rail to finish 5th, beaten 2.5L, in the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington. Was 4th in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) when beaten 8.5L. Can give cheek as distance and light-weight suit.

15

Sea King

English raider who qualified for the Cup with an eye-catching win in the Bendigo Cup. Good form for this after previously finishing 6th in the Ebor (2771m) in England. Plenty of admirers.

16

Valiant King

Transferred from Joseph O’Brien to Chris Waller after finishing 6th in last year’s Caulfield Cup (2400m). Has one win from 11 starts. Had no luck in last month’s Caulfield Cup when finishing 9th, beaten 13.15L.

17

Fancy Man

Held on for 6th at his last start in the Caulfield Cup (2400m), beaten 9.65L. Previous two runs with a 5th in a G3 and 3rd in a G2 were okay. This is much tougher.

18

Interpretation

Having his third crack at the Cup. Finished 6th last year, beaten 5.35L, but was held up for a run from the 600m to the 400m.  Finished 2nd in the Geelong Cup (2400m) and is ready to peak.

19

Manzoice

His last win was in the Victoria Derby (2500m) in 2022. Didn’t do much in The Bart Cummings (2520m) at Flemington last month and the Moonee Valley Cup (2500m).

20

Mostly Cloudy

Has two wins over the Cup journey in England. Form had been solid leading up to the Bart Cummings when he failed to handle the soft going to finish second last. Rough place chance.

21

Positivity

Does have talent but faded when raced handy at latest run in the G2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) to finish 8th, beaten 5.12L. Before then she came home well in the Bart Cummings for 7th. Needs to lift.

22

Saint George

Lightly-raced former European galloper who is getting better with racing. Is ready to peak after 4 runs in. Ran the fastest final 200m when 5th, beaten 3.02L, after coming from last in the G3 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m).

23

The Map

Qualified for Cup with win in the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington.  Luckless in Geelong Cup (2400m) when finished 6th, beaten 4.9L. Improver.

24

Trust In You

New Zealander who has had 3 runs in Australia and finished 4th in his past 2 behind Cup contenders at 2400m and 2600m in Sydney Group races. Big jump in class and 3200m remains a query.