The richest race of autumn and Sydney’s most valuable race – the $4 million Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) – will be taken on by 13 runners with the barriers now drawn.
Two key runners have drawn wide – the star of the autumn, Contributer, has been allocated the widest draw of 13, while Cox Plate winner Adelaide, now trained by Chris Waller, drew barrier 12.
Red Cadeaux, a surprise acceptor for the race has also accepted for the $1.6 million Sydney Cup (3200m), with connections keen on the big prizemoney. A decision is expected in the next 24 hours. The nine-year old gelding may start from barrier 3.
Japanese horses To The World and Tosen Stardom will continue the international raid on The Championships. To The World will have a new jockey, with Nick Hall sacked after the Doncaster, giving way to Zac Purton for the ride.
Royal Descent will back up from her placing in the Doncaster Mile and take on the field from barrier 10.
The full field and barrier draw for the 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes:
|
No |
Horse |
Trainer |
Jockey |
Barrier |
Weight |
|
1 |
CONTRIBUTER (IRE) |
John O’Shea |
James McDonald |
13 |
59kg |
|
2 |
CRITERION (NZ) |
David Hayes & Tom Dabernig |
Craig Williams |
4 |
59kg |
|
3 |
HAPPY TRAILS |
Paul Beshara |
Damien Oliver |
9 |
59kg |
|
4 |
RED CADEAUX (GB) |
Ed Dunlop |
TBA |
3 |
59kg |
|
5 |
FIVEANDAHALFSTAR |
Anthony Cummings |
Blake Shinn |
7 |
59kg |
|
6 |
BEATEN UP (GB) |
Chris Waller |
TBA |
1 |
59kg |
|
7 |
SPILLWAY (GB) |
David Hayes & Tom Dabernig |
Michael Walker |
6 |
59kg |
|
8 |
AOMEN (IRE) |
Anthony Cummings |
TBA |
2 |
59kg |
|
9 |
ADELAIDE (IRE) |
Chris Waller |
Ryan Moore |
12 |
58.5kg |
|
10 |
TO THE WORLD (JPN) |
Yasutoshi Ikee |
Nicholas Hall |
5 |
58.5kg |
|
11 |
TOSEN STARDOM (JPN) |
Yasutoshi Ikee |
Tommy Berry |
11 |
58.5kg |
|
12 |
ROYAL DESCENT |
Chris Waller |
Joao Moreira |
10 |
57kg |
|
13 |
LUCIA VALENTINA (NZ) |
Kris Lees |
Hugh Bowman |
8 |
57kg |
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