We’re set for a huge Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington, with a strong nine-race undercard to support the race that stops a nation on Tuesday.
The opener features 14 youngsters accepted for the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate, won last year by Lindsay Park with Tycoon Star. The Hayes team returns with the promising pair Carnevale and Free Flying.
Most of the field is drawn from powerhouse yards, though Cameron Templeton — who has just seven horses in work — will saddle a sharp-looking Spirit Of Nicconi youngster for the straight-track test.
The G3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes has assembled a cracking line-up, with Roll On High, Pondalowie, Surfin’ Bird and Bossy Nic among 16 acceptors plus three emergencies.
Athanatos, Apulia, Saint George and Kingswood clash in the Listed Kirin Ichiban Plate, while the Listed Amanda Elliott draws together Navy Pilot, Katsumi Orochi, Grand Prairie and Bacash.