Godolphin supply four of the runners with John O'Shea to saddle Astern (Medaglia D'Oro (USA), Tessera (Medaglia D'Oro (USA), Telperion (Street Cry (IRE) and Impending (Lonhro).
All four are impeccably bred sons of champion sires, so Group I success this season will earn them a slot on the powerful Darley stallion roster.
Unbeaten Snitzel colt El Divino resumes from a spell for Gai Waterhouse, but runs in different ownership this time around with Widden Stud securing an interest in the half-brother to Winx.
Gooree Stud homebred Good Standing was a Group II winner in the autumn and this talented son of Artie Schiller (USA) has always given the impression he would be better at three. James Cummings will no doubt be looking at this race as a stepping stone to the future.
Star Witness colt Star Turn stepped it up a notch when winning the Group III
ATC San Domenico Stakes first up from a spell for well known Sydney owner Alan
Bell and Team Hawkes only need him to repeat the performance to be the horse to
beat here.Bell's last good horse Deep Field covered 276 mares at Newgate Farm last spring, so he will be hoping Star Turn can build on his early success this season to earn the interest of the elite farms when his racing days are done.
A half-brother to VRC Oaks winner Jameka, promising Snitzel colt Nikitas has his first start for new trainer Chris Waller and has Woodside Park in his ownership.
Lightly raced Smart Missile colt Mediterranean has race fitness on his side over many of his rivals and the Peter and Paul Snowden trained colt is yet another high profile candidate to run in the James Harron Bloodstock colours with Newgate Farm in the ownership.
Click here for the field.
