Vintage Crop and Media Puzzle have both this Group 1 handicap in recent times for Ireland, while British runners have gone close on several occasions. France won last year with Americain and the latter's entire year has been geared towards another tilt at the big prize. He won his prep race at Moonee Valley and Alain Royer-Dupre's charge is unlikely to be far away again. Dunaden, another French raider, is also interesting as he had Americain back in sixth when landing a Group 3 at Longchamp in April. He won the Geelong Cup last time and is also holding his form well. Mark Johnston's Jukebox Jury is fancied to prove the pick of the UK challenge as the grey has already enjoyed a terrific season, winning three of his four starts, though he was beaten by Drunken Sailor at Goodwood in July. Johnston also saddles Royal Ascot winner Fox Hunt, while Luca Cumani's team is completed by Manighar but Brian Ellison's pair Saptapadi and Ebor winner Moyenne Corniche are badly drawn. AT FIRST SIGHT looks well berthed in stall 10, however, and can keep the lion's share of the prize money at home. He's had the classic Melbourne Cup preparation with only four runs to date in 2011 and his second over 1m4f at Bendigo last month should have brought him to concert pitch. Robert Hickmott's colt is well handicapped if reproducing the form which saw him split Workforce and Rewilding in the 2010 Epsom Derby when trained by Aidan O'Brien. Niwot has crept into the weights by virtue of landing the Group 3 Lexus Stakes here on Saturday while Glass Harmonium, a Group 3 winner for Sir Michael Stoute last year, made all for a comfortable success over Mourayan in the Group 1 Mackinnon on the same card.
