Armory is the exception, having his first start here and is off a six week break. He was third over 2012m in a quality field last start, and it would not surprise if he was in the finish. He is a high class performer with superior form to Adelaide when he came here in 2014, & we know what he did.

Arcadia Queen was very impressive last start, easily defeating Russian Camelot, and looks a big chance. On that run alone, she is entitled to be the favourite of the local runners.

Russian Camelot is the boom horse, at least he was until Arcadia Queen beat him last start.  This race should be run more to suit, & the prospect of the sting out of the ground will play in to Russian Camelot’s hands.

Kolding has done nothing wrong this time in, & looks a chance at odds.  He is a Group 1 winner in Sydney, & could be the forgotten horse. It doesn’t hurt to have Chris Waller for a trainer, either.

Grandslam is the only 3 year old in the race this year, coming off a good third in the Caulfield Guineas. He gets in with a 6kg weight advantage over the next weighted horse (10kg on the top weight), could bowl out in front & be hard to run down with the light weight.

This year’s race looks far more open than it has been for many years, & it wouldn’t surprise if the likes of Probabeel, Mugatoo, Fierce Impact or even the old boy, Humidor (who almost beat Winx in the race a few years back), were to win.

Winner