A field of 11 will chase a guaranteed Cox Plate start in Saturday’s Group II Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley.
The winner of the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes will be exempt from the Cox Plate ballot and the Darren Weir stable will chase the $250,000 in prizemoney with Star Exhibit and Articus.
The Macedon Lodge operation will run Gallante and Sir Isaac Newton in the race while trainers David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig have accepted with Jacquinot Bay and He’s Our Rokkii.
Kiwi training duo Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman have Group I winners Lizzie L’Amour and Bonneval engaged.
A field of seven speedsters will contest the day’s other feature, the Group II McEwen Stakes (1000m).
Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Houtzen will have her first run since her fifth in the Golden Slipper while The Galaxy winner Russian Revolution will represent the Peter and Paul Snowden camp.
The Carlyon Stakes quinella of Missrock and Heatherly will also contest the $200,000 event.
Saturday's program starts at 12:25pm (AEDT). The track was rated a good (4) at acceptance time while the rail will be in the two-metre position for the entire circuit.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecast for Melbourne for the rest of the week is:
Wednesday: A few showers. Max 14.
Thursday: Few showers developing. Max 15.
Friday: Shower or two. Max 12.
Saturday: Cloudy. Max 13.
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