Trip is right up Vauban's alley
1 Dubai Honour
Much-travelled UK-based stayer who has not raced since finishing second in the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2,400m) at Sha Tin last December when beaten 2½ lengths. Winner of three Group 1s. Will take beating.
2 Vauban
Former Irish-trained galloper who was transferred to the Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott stable after finishing 11th in the Melbourne Cup (3,200m). Won first-up in the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2,000m) at Rosehill on March 15 when settled last. 2,400m is ideal and top chance.
3 Arapaho
Won this race two years ago when scoring by 0.32 length. Has only one win since then in the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2,400m) on heavy track last November. Has had three runs back from a spell and finished second in latest race in the Sky High Stakes. Likes rain-affected track. Chance.
4 Duke De Sessa
Quality gelding who won last year's Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2,400m). Resumed with a Group 3 1,600m win last month and was unlucky last start when second over 2,000m after being held up. Has been freshened for this.
5 Zarir
Lightly raced French gelding also making his Australian debut. Has four wins, two seconds and two thirds from 11 starts in France. Has been placed at Group 1 and Group 2 level and is likely to measure up in this. Last raced in a Group 2 over 2,400m at Longchamp in September when narrow second.
6 Circle Of Fire
Raced in four consecutive Group 1s last campaign when best effort was a 2.7-length sixth in the Melbourne Cup. Two runs back have been okay with latest effort 3¼-length fourth in the Sky High Stakes when racing handy. Not the worst.
7 Land Legend
Finished third in last year's Caulfield Cup and raced handy and faded for a 3.3-length eighth in the Melbourne Cup. Has had two runs back and was one-paced at latest when 11 lengths last over a Group 3 2,000m. Is a Group 1 2,400m winner and can improve.
8 Asterix
Is a Group 1 and Group 2 winner over 2,400m in New Zealand but has yet to be placed in his three Australian runs. Was fancied at last start when finishing a two-length fifth over 2,000m at Randwick on March 8. Rise in distance suits, but this is tough.
9 Zechariah
Will find this really tough. Did not have any luck last start at Randwick over 2,000m when held up from the 400m to the 100m mark and still managed to finish a 0.64-length third. This is a big rise in class.
10 Waltham
Much improved run last start when dropped back to a Restricted 2,400m race on the Gold Coast. Held up on the home turn but, once clear, finished strongly to win by 1.3 lengths. This is a huge increase in class.
11 Warmonger
Solid Sydney debut when working home strongly second-up to finish 0.6-length second in a Listed 2,000m race at Randwick on March 8. Won the Group 1 Queensland Derby at this distance and is capable of running a bold race if he has luck in the run.
12 Kinesiology
Was only fairly away at his last start when a nine-length fifth in the Sky High Stakes. Was a prolific minor placegetter in Ireland and has been placed once in four Australian starts. A wet track would greatly enhance his chances of making his presence felt.
13 La Crique
New Zealander making her Australian debut. Has an imposing record of nine wins, nine seconds and four thirds from 26 starts. Is a Group 1 winner who has finished second in past four runs. Earns respect on her NZ record. Has been placed at her only 2,400m run.
14 River Of Stars
High-priced European mare making her Australian debut for Chris Waller. Is a multiple-stakes winner of 4 races from 15 starts and is also a Group 1 placegetter in France at last start in October after racing wide. Leading chance.
HKJC
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