A look at the "raiders" .

Starting off with the favourite Vauban – he won the Ballyroan in August over 2400m and finished with plenty of gas left in the tank.  He also won at Ascot over 2800m and had his Cup jockey Ryan Moore in the saddle on that day.  Prior to this he had a stellar career over hurdles so he will have no trouble with the trip and is reported to be thriving.

Breakup ran in the Caulfield Cup but tired in that and will be all the fitter for the run.  In Japan he won the Tenno Sho Spring which is over 3200m and came third in the Hanshin Daishoten over 3000m.

Absurde is a stablemate of the favourite and has an Aussie connection in that he's by Fastnet Rock.  He won the Ebor at York this year over 2800m and was beaten by Vauban at Ascot in a stable quinella.  He's also been over the hurdles and now given a chance on the flat.

Okita Soushi is Joseph O'Brien's runner this year and having trained two previous winners he knows what to look for.  He ran below par in the Caulfield Cup but won at Ascot over 2400m.  He's well bred as he's by Galileo out of the Aussie mare Amicus.

Lastotchka is now in the hands of Mick Price as she's owned by Australian Bloodstock et al.

She's proven to be a very useful horse in France where she won the Prix Gladiateur over 3100m and was third in the Grand Prix de Chantilly so she won't have a problem with the trip.  Craig Williams will be riding her.

More Felons was transferred to the care of Chris Waller in August from UK trainer Harris and was 5th in the Geelong Cup which wasn't bad for his first start in Australia.  In July he was second in the Silver Cup at York.

Future History was originally trained in France by Henri Devin and then transferred to Maher-Eustace in September.  Racing in Australia for his first race in nearly a year he ran second in a handicap of Moonee Valley over 2040 , won the Bart Cummings over 2520m and was third in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup.  Hollie Doyle is flying in for the ride.