1

Protectionist

Finished strongly to win last year’s Melbourne Cup by four lengths under Ryan Moore. Unplaced in seven starts since for new stable. Latest was 3.75 lengths 13th of 15 to Preferment in blanket finish to G 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on 4 October. Hard to endorse but extra 400m may prompt improved run.

2

Snow Sky

Sir Michael Stoute trained galloper who was 4.75 lengths 7th to Flintshire in 2014 Hong Kong Vase. Returned to UK and scored successive G 2 wins in Yorkshire Cup and Hardwicke Stakes (this distance) on good tracks before failing, on soft ground, behind Postponed in King George VI Stakes in July. Can be ridden forward or back. Won maiden on heavy track but best form on good to firm ground.

3

Fame Game

Same weight, jockey (Zac Purton) and country of origin as last year’s winner Admire Rakti. Won 3400m G 3 Diamond Stakes before fast finishing neck second to world’s second highest rated stayer Gold Ship in G 1 Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) in May. Might be better suited at 3200m of Melbourne Cup but cannot rule out here. Best form on firm ground.

4

Our Ivanhowe

G 1 winner in Germany and 6th behind Epiphaneia in strong 2014 edition of G 1 Japan Cup before joining Lee Freedman stable in Australia. Sound effort, at second run after spell, when closing 1.25 lengths 2nd to Let’s Make Adeal in G 3 The Bart Cummings Handicap (2520m) on 4 October. Capable all conditions.

5

Hokko Brave

Second Japanese contender with Craig Williams to ride. Finished 2 lengths 3rd to Admire Deus in G 2 Nikkei Sho (2500m) before 1.8 lengths 6th to Gold Ship (and not far off Fame Game) in the G 1 Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) in May. Five wins have come from 2200m to 2600m on good to firm ground.

6

Mongolian Khan

G 1 ATC Derby winner at this distance in April before a spell. Progressed nicely in three runs this season culminating with excellent 0.6 lengths 3rd to globetrotting Criterion in G 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) last Saturday. Capable wet or dry (note unbeaten in four starts on soft ground).

7

Trip To Paris

Ed Dunlop trained winner of this year’s G 1 Ascot Gold Cup at 4000m. Then ran photo 3rd to Big Orange in the G 2 Goodwood Cup (3200m) before 11.5 lengths 5th to Max Dynamite in the G 2 Lonsdale Cup (3300m) on soft ground. Past six runs have been at 3200m plus since winning modest Handicap at this distance on all-weather at Lingfield in April. Likely to settle back at this trip.

8

Who Shot Thebarman

Melbourne Cup third and Sydney Cup second in the past 12 months. Mucus on scope when failed in this race last year. Made late ground at third run this campaign when 1.95 lengths 8th to Preferment in G 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on 4 October. Extra 400m assists. Capable all conditions.

9

Grand Marshal

Won the G 1 Sydney Cup (3200m), in April, by a nose from Who Shot Thebarman. Fair progress in three runs this campaign; latest 5.9 lengths 5th to Complacent in G 3 Craven Plate (2000m) on 3 October.

10

Royal Descent

Wonderfully consistent mare who has finished in the first four at 12 of her past 15 starts (but just one win). Two runs only at 2400m for G 1 ATC Oaks win at three and 1.85 lengths 5th to Fawkner in this race in 2013. Last start nose second to Preferment in G 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on 4 October. Races handy. Capable all conditions.

11

Volkstok’n’barrell

Placed behind Mongolian Khan in two attempts at this distance - in the NZ Derby and ATC Derby. Last start wore blinkers first time and was keen on speed before 2.05 lengths 9th to Preferment in G 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on 4 October. Races handy. Capable wet or dry.

12

Hauraki

Runner-up to Mongolian Khan in G 1 ATC Derby, in April, at only attempt this distance. Has progressed well in three runs this season. Latest was nose 2nd to stablemate Complacent in G 3 Craven Plate (2000m) on 3 October - with Joao Moreira aboard. Generally ridden back. Best form on good ground.

13

Lucia Valentina

Ran 0.9 lengths 3rd to Admire Rakti this race last year. Placed only one of nine starts since. Arguably ridden too close when 3.8 lengths 8th to Winx in G 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) on 3 October. Advantaged by rise in distance. Generally ridden back. Note four of five wins have come on slow and heavy ground.

14

Rising Romance

0.4 lengths 2nd to Admire Rakti in this race last year. Sound head 2nd to Fawkner in G 1 Maybe Diva Stakes (1600m) on 12 September before drew wide (15) and caught wide throughout when 3.45 lengths 12th to Preferment in G 1 Turnbull Stalkes (2000m) on 4 October. Had three starts at 2400m for one win, two seconds. Can race handy this trip. Capable good to slow ground.

15

Magicool

Won G 1 Queensland Derby (2200m) in June but no closer than 11th in four runs since. Latest was 6 lengths 14th to Preferment in G 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on 4 October when perhaps ridden too close. Best ridden back and on good ground.

16

Gust Of Wind

Lightly raced mare with three wins from eight starts. Won the G 1 ATC Oaks at this distance in April on soft ground. Beaten 2.45 lengths when 11th to Preferment in G 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on 4 October at third run back from spell when had interrupted run. Advantaged by rise in distance.

17

Set Square

Talented mare with three wins, five placings from ten starts. Won G 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) last November. Sound effort at third run this season when 0.8 lengths 3rd to Preferment in G 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) on 4 October. Bulk of racing has been on good ground. Placed one start on soft. Likely to settle off the speed.

18

Magnapal

Up in class but consistent performer who is right down in the handicap weights and could surprise. Won three straight from 1400m to 2000m before nose 2nd to Escado in G 3 JRA Cup (2040m) on 2 October. Races handy and OK all conditions. Placed only one of four at this distance.

Reserves

19

Quest For More

Progressive stayer who has finished 1-2 at eight of his past nine starts. Won the Northumberland Plate (3217m) at Newcastle before neck 2nd to Big Orange in the G 2 Goodwood Cup (3200m) in July. All turf runs have been on good ground since failing on heavy track in maiden debut. May need further than 2400m but not without some chance. Generally races handy but may find early tempo quicker in Australia.

20

Complacent

Runner-up in the G 1 Victoria Derby (2500m), behind Polanski, in 2013 before injury enforced long spell. Did not race again until August this year when unplaced first-up at 1400m - his only unplaced run in ten starts. Won two of three starts since. Latest was nose win from stablemate Hauraki in G 3 Craven Plate (2000m) on 3 October. Capable all conditions. Races handy, can lead.

21

Dibayani

Former Hong Kong galloper who has performed soundly in three Australian runs for David Hayes.  2014 2nd to Blazing Speed in the Champions and Chater at only start this distance. Slow pace against last start when 3.2 lengths 9th to Mourinho in G 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) on 26 September. Looks to be OK all conditions. Capable of being handy in run but generally ridden back.

22

Magic Hurricane

Improving and in-form imported galloper with good record at the distance. Head 2nd to Preferment in G 2 Hill Stakes (2000m) on 19 September before 2 lengths win from Beaten Up in G 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) on 3 October. Generally ridden midfield or back and can handle wet or dry.