Reigning Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed and 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Americain headline the entries for the $2.25 million The BMW at Rosehill in April.
The Australian Turf Club has received 80 nominations for the feature, the only Group One 2400m weight-for-age race in the country.
Other notable entries include Cox Plate heroine Pinker Pinker, Spring Champion Stakes victor Doctor Doom, Victoria Derby winner Sangster and Lucas Cranach who was third to Dunaden in the Melbourne Cup.
Bart Cummings’s three nominations include Illo and Precedence while Chris Waller has thrown six horses into the mix headed by Sydney Cup winner Stand To Gain and new recruit Shoot Out.
Former Luca Cumani stablemates Manighar and Drunken Sailor – now with Peter Moody and Mike Moroney respectively – are among a number of former European stayers entered.
“Over a quarter of the nominations received are imported horses with many staying on from spring to specifically target The BMW,” ATC executive general manager racing, Matt Rudolph, said.
The winner of the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill gains an automatic start in The BMW run on Golden Slipper day, April 7.
AAP TURF
