Champion mare Winx headlines nine entries for the Group Two Warwick Stakes as she starts her quest for back-to-back Cox Plate wins.
As she looks to extend her winning streak to 10, the Chris Waller-trained Winx is set to face Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Lucia Valentina in the Warwick Stakes on Saturday.
The Kris Lees-trained Lucia Valentina is also likely to use Saturday’s race at Randwick as a starting point as she builds towards the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 22.
Sydney’s premier stable is likely to have a strong supporting cast in the race.
Winx’s Group One-winning stablemates Grand Marshal, Vanbrugh, Who Shot Thebarman and Preferment are nominated to resume in the 1400m weight-for-age contest.
Preferment finished third in a 1030m-trial at Rosehill on Monday morning.
Godolphin have nominated Group One winner Hartnell, while Dibayani, runner-up in the Group Three Aurie’s Star Handicap at Flemington last start on August 6, is also entered.
Rebel Dane is the only other horse nominated for the race who is not resuming, finishing second to Tycoon Tara in the Group Two Missile Stakes on a heavy Randwick track on August 6.
Vanbrugh and Lucia Valentina have been dual-nominated for the Listed Show County Quality (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Entries for the $250,000 Warwick Stakes have been extended to 11am on Tuesday.
