1/ Hampton Court (3c Redoute's Choice x Roses 'n' Wine (Can) by Broken Vow
Beat the hot pots First Seal and Sweynesse to win the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes at 2000 metres, so on face value has a considerable class edge over his rivals and has been set for this race by his trainer Gai Waterhouse, who does know how to win it.
By a champion sire that has produced Derby and Oaks winners and comes from an imported female family that has given us triple Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva, so it's hard not think he has what it takes in a race where class can carry you a long way.
2/ Moonovermanhattan (3g Manhattan Rain x Lunaspur, by Flying Spur)
Won the Group II MVRC The Vase over 2040 metres last Saturday and was strong at the end, earning a shot at this longer race.
From the first crop of Manhattan Rain, a Group I winner at two over 1400 metres and half-brother by Encosta de Lago to Redoute's Choice. His half-sister Colorado Claire, could not win beyond 1500 metres and his mother Lunaspur found 1600 her outer limit, but if you go further back in the family there is plenty of stout European staying blood and if he channels some of that could find the stamina he will need for the last couple of furlongs.
3/ Prentice (3g Blackfriars x Stella Vision, by Scenic (IRE)
Won the Group III WATC Sires Produce last season, but recent runs are not encouraging.
His sire Blackfriars won this race in 1999 and he is from a daughter of Scenic (IRE), who I love to see in the pedigree of a Classic aspirant, but not even that will sway me to be too positive about his prospects here.
4/ Firehouse Rock (3c Fastnet Rock x Bird of Fire, by Stravinsky (USA)
Made his debut at the end of August, so still in his first prep and trying hard in his races with a last start third to star filly Fontein Ruby in the Group II MRC Caulfield Classic at 2000 metres.
His dam Bird of Fire won the Group II VRC Matriarch Stakes at 2000 metres and is by Stravinsky, so this colt is bred on the exact same cross as Mosheen, who won the VRC Oaks by nine lengths. He's not as good as her, but no shock to see him win either if the favourite failed to fire.
5/ Magicool (3g Fastnet Rock x Perfect Truth (IRE), by Galileo
Good win at Flemington in Listed VRC UCI Stakes over 1800 metres two starts back, a race won last year by the Derby winner Polanski.
His dam is a stakes-winning daughter of Galileo that won over 11 ½ furlongs from a European family packed with star performers including dual Royal Ascot Gold Cup winner Gildoran. If he doesn't stay, it won't be because of the female side of his family.
6/ Lotion (3g Good Journey (USA) x Poison Ivy, by Danehill Dancer (IRE)
Won Listed race in Adelaide two starts back over 1800 metres, but seemed to struggle last start in the Geelong Classic at 2200.
His sire was a very good miler and has thrown a Derby winner in Grand Journey, but performance to date and his immediate female pedigree would make it hard to think Lotion will spring an upset.
7/ Nozomi (3c Street Cry (IRE) x Rose of Danehill, by Danehill (USA)
Won the Listed Geelong Classic last start at 2200 metres, but was lucky to do so as runner-up would have won in another stride.
By a sire that can get a stayer and dam Rose of Danehill was very good, albeit up to a mile as are most of her family which includes speedy fillies such as Wrap Around and Fashions Afield. Has blossomed over longer trips and if he keeps that fighting frame of mind can fill a place.
8/ Light Up Manhattan (3c Manhattan Rain x Luminata, by Zabeel)
Broke his maiden at Wangaratta and then fourth in two subsequent runs in stakes races when he has wacked away in honest fashion, but has the pedigree to suggest 2500 metres might be what he's actually looking for.
Another by Manhattan Rain, but this one is from a Zabeel half-sister to Adelaide Cup winner The Hind and Geelong Cup winner Oregon Star. His grand-dam is by mighty staying influence Noble Bijou (USA), with the next dam by Mellay (GB). They don't come stouter bred than this.
9/ Bondeiger (3g War Pass (USA) x Debutante Robe (Jpn) by Admire Vega)
Progressive gelding that won at Geelong and Caulfield before an even seventh in the Group II MVRC The Vase and does have barrier one which may help him get a cosy run.
By a brilliantly fast Champion US 2YO that died after just two seasons at stud, but female pedigree does offer some hope as his Japanese bred dam is a daughter of Group I SAJC South Australian Oaks winner Derobe by a Sunday Silence sire in Admire Vega.
10/ Royal Standing (3g Stratum x Queen Mother (USA), by Kingmambo
Close second to Bondeiger two starts back and then fourth in the Group II MVRC The Vase last start, so racing consistently.
Half-brother to Group I VRC Australian Cup winner Super Cool, who was second in this race and his female family is top class, first two dams by Kingmambo and Roberto, an Epsom Derby winner. His sire Stratum has a Classic winner on the resume in Streama, although she's more the exception than the rule…. Royal Standing ain't no Streama!
11/ Atmosphere (NZ) (3g Savabeel x Zephyr Song, by Danasinga)
Four starts for three seconds, the last two in stakes races and maidens can win this race so he's worth taking very seriously with superstar jockey Joao Moreira aboard from gate four.
By a great classic type sire in Savabeel, who has won this race before with Sangster and his dam is a daughter of New Zealand Oaks winner Zepherin , so he's bred to be here and to run well.
12/ Gouldian (3c Street Cry (IRE) x Blue Finch (GB), by Anabaa
Last start maiden winner at Warwick Farm over 1600 metres so facing a huge jump in distance and class.
Another by ill-fated Street Cry and this one from an imported Anabaa mare that won at 1550 metres at Moonee Valley and is a daughter of a brilliant sprinter in Blue Note. Too much speed there for me to be comfortable he's going to be in his element at the end of 2500 metres.
13/ Preferment (NZ) (3c Zabeel x Better Alternative by Flying Spur)
Just missed last start in the Geelong Classic and is another maiden with an undeniable chance for champion trainer Chris Waller and champion jockey Damien Oliver.
Full brother to Rezoned, who won the Group III SAJC Fillies Classic at 2500 metres and his dam, although a speedily bred daughter of Flying Spur, won up to 2000 metres. Ticks a lot of boxes and can give the favourite a run for his money.
14/ Cuban Fighter (3c Teofilo (IRE) x A La Belle Etoile by Zabeel)
Another maiden that's been battling away and not hopeless when seventh in the Group III MRC Caulfield Classic.
By a proven Group I producing son of Galileo and dam is a placed Zabeel daughter of AJC Australian Oaks winner On Air, so on pedigree he's a Derby horse, but maybe not this Derby.
15 San Padre (3c Teofilo (IRE) x San Cristobel, by Fastnet Rock)
Winner on debut at Sale in September and then fair in two subsequent runs in stakes races.
By the same sire as previous, but from a speedy Fastnet Rock mare from a very speedy female family that's produced the likes of A Time for Julia and Lone Rock, so he's probably going to need a bit of magic from Tommy Berry and gate two to see out this trip with enthusiasm.
16 The Mighty JRod (NZ) (3g Pentire (GB) x Nordic Dancer, by Generous (IRE)
Yet to win in seven starts, but was fourth in the Geelong Classic and tried hard although well beaten by Nozomi and Preferment.
By a terrific sire in Pentire and dam, by Epsom Derby winner Generous, won up to 2400 metres so there is reason for confidence that he will stay, but maybe not fast enough. Also in the pedigree the great Rough Habit, who won a Queensland Derby among his 29 victories, now that's a horse!
17/ Verreaux (NZ) (3c Street Cry (IRE) x Rose of Tralee, by Sadler's Wells)
One third from five starts is pretty disappointing for a colt of his pedigree, but they can't all turn out the way we'd like.
Half-brother to VRC Oaks winner Serenade Rose from a blue-blooded Sadler's Wells mare that won up to 2800 metres and is from a family steeped in Black Type. Pedigree says hell yes, Form guide says no way Jose!
