It's 21 years since Dermot Weld became the first overseas handler to land this great race with Vintage Crop and he won it again nine years later with Media Puzzle. Johnny Murtagh is double-handed in an attempt to win it again for Ireland and both Ebor winner Mutual Regard and the 2012 Irish St Leger winner Royal Diamond both have chances of emulating Weld with the trainer appearing to just favour the latter, who is reported to have done well since arriving in Australia. Very few win the big race without a prep-race and the Japan-trained Admire Rakti had the best prep of all when landing the Caulfield Cup under a big weight. It will be a shock if he's not thereabouts as the longer trip here is certain to suit and top Hong Kong jockey Zac Purton knows what he's doing around here. FAWKNER is another Caulfield Cup hero having won it last year before finishing sixth in this. He's been in even better form this season and he's taken to land this for Rob Hickmott and Nick Hall. Red Cadeaux is having his fourth crack at the race and with two second places already he's an obvious contender though he didn't run particularly well in his last race. Protectionist could prove the pick of the European raiders under Ryan Moore, who was booked by Andreas Wohler a long time ago. He ran a real eye-catcher of a race in his prep and his jockey is in scintillating form. Junoob has Grade 1 winning form to his credit and arrives in top form and Gatewood has won in Australia previously while Who Shot Thebarman stays forever and has the advantage of Glen Boss in the plate. Araldo hails from a yard who know what it takes and he's been staying on strongly at the finish of recent races while the filly Lucia Valentina has been in excellent shape and a slow pace would play to her strengths. Signoff landed the Grade 3 Lexus over 1m4f here on Saturday, which is always a good trial, sealing a spot in this under Brazilian rider Joao Moreira and if champion trainer Darren Weir's charge stays the extra he'll be an obvious contender.
