Almandin took the honours in last year's Emirates Melbourne Cup but can he write his name in the history books by winning again? Here's our guide to the field.
Hartnell (Drawn: 12) (Trainer: James Cummings Jockey: Damian Lane)
Has finished 15th and third in the last two renewals and only 4lbs higher than for that good run last year. Not at his best in the Ladbrokes Stakes last time but running well prior to that and entitled to give another good account.
Almandin (14) (T: Robert Hickmott J: Frankie Dettori)
Carrying 10lbs more than when winning last year and loses the services of regular pilot to suspension. Owners, who have a great record in this race, believe he 'wasn’t the finished article and this year he is' so every reason to think he can cope with the weight and no surprise to see him among the market leaders despite not being at his best last time.
Humidor (13) (T: Darren Weir J: Blake Shinn)
Gave the all-conquering Winx a fright in a Cox Plate that was run in a record time but less effective in the Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs prior to that - although his Cup winning trainer was less than happy with the ride - and this quirky individual has questions to answer over the longest trip that he's tackled.
Tiberian (23) (T: Alain Couetil J: Olivier Peslier)
Accounted for Breeders' Cup winner Talismanic on his first two starts this season and has long had this race on his radar for owners who have gone close in the past with Dandino, Jakkalberry and the ill-fated Heartbreak City. A wide draw and Olivier Peslier's lack of experience in this race (this will be his first ride) are potential negatives but there's plenty to like otherwise.
Marmelo (16) (T: Hughie Morrison J: Hugh Bowman)
Jumped towards the top of the market with an eyecatching run in the Caulfield Cup where he rattled home to be beaten under three lengths. Has a touch of class, stays well and has to be on the short-list stepped back up to a more suitable trip.
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Red Cardinal (24) (T: Andreas Wohler J: Kerrin McEvoy)
Represents the same connections as 2014 winner Protectionist and they have had this race in mind all season for the Belmont Park winner. Only seen once since that win in June and didn't shine behind Marmelo but was found to be suffering from a skin allergy so may not be wise to read too much into that and could easily run a big race under a leading Australian jockey. Vintage Crop (1993) was the last European to win without an Australian prep.
Johannes Vermeer (3) (T: Aidan O'Brien J: Ben Melham)
Smart juvenile in 2015 who managed only one run in the October of the following season. Had plenty of racing this term, including in Australia the last twice when shaping encouragingly in the Ladbroke Stakes and Caulfield Cup. Racing beyond 12 furlongs for the first time and not a certain stayer on paper but wasn't stopping over that trip last time and should be involved.
Bondi Beach (1) (T: Robert Hickmott J: Michael Walker)
Never a factor for Aidan O'Brien in 2015 or 12 months ago when finishing 13th of 24 beaten 11 lengths. Yet to show his best form for current connections and has enough to prove with headgear (blinkers) applied for the first time.
Max Dynamite (2) (T: Willie Mullins J: Zac Purton)
Carries a couple of pounds less than when a narrow second to shock winner Prince Of Penzance in the 2015 renewal so well enough treated on only his fifth start since. Certainly won comfortably (4/9 fav) at Killarney last time suggesting the engine remains intact and merits close consideration with reports that he's working impressively.
Ventura Storm (6) (T: David A & B Hayes & Tom Dabernig J: Glen Boss)
Narrowly beaten by Harbour Law in the 2016 St Leger but is without a win in four starts for new connections -
although one of those was behind Winx - and well beaten in the Caulfield Cup last time. Excuses (a foot abscess) for that run and has worked well since, leaving his trainer 'very excited'.
Wicklow Brave (8) (T: Willie Mullins J: Stephen Baster)
Sent off at 15/1 last year but only beat two home after a wide trip. Never landed a blow in the Caulfield Cup but he didn't enjoy the clearest run and the outing will have blown away the cobwebs ahead of this run over a more suitable trip.
Big Duke (5) (T: Darren Weir J: Brenton Avdulla)
Narrowly beaten behind Charlie Appleby's Polarisation in the Sydney Cup over this trip in April and has continued to run consistently since returning to action in September. Only fourth when odds-on for the Moonee Valley Gold Cup last time but didn't enjoy a clear run and better than the bare form. Could take a hand.
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US Army Ranger (22) (T: Joseph O'Brien J: Jamie Spencer)
Hasn't gone on as expected since finishing second to Harzand in the 2016 Derby and even found himself lining up in the Queen Alexandra Stakes (run over two miles five) at Royal Ascot this summer. Switched from Aidan O'Brien to Joseph since he was last seen and has an almighty amount to prove for all connections report he's working well.
Boom Time (9) (T: David & B Hayes & Tom Dabernig J: Cory Parish)
Enjoyed the run of the race when winning the Caulfield Cup (returned at 50/1) but ran on strongly and is in much better form than when well beaten in the Sydney Cup in April. Has worked well since and has won two of his three starts at Flemington so could be considered one of the likelier outsiders.
Gallante (18) (T: Robert Hickmott J: Michael Dee)
Finished 20th of 24 at 50/1 last year and his two runs since don't suggest he'll be improving on that.
Libran (7) (T: Chris Waller J: Dwayne Dunn)
Chased home Gallante in last season's Sydney Cup so no concerns with this trip and shaped well in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup last time, the form of which got a boost when the third won the Lexus but doubtful whether he has the requisite class to take top honours.
Nakeeta (19) (T: Iain Jardine J: Glyn Schofield)
Consistent staying handicapper who gained a valuable success in the Ebor last time. Heartbreak City won that race before finishing second here, as did Purple Moon in 2007, so there is a precedent and he's been working well in the build-up for his shot at glory.
Single Gaze (11) (T: Nick Olive J: Kathy O'Hara)
Fourth in the Ladbrokes Stakes before finishing second in the Caulfield Cup having made the running so has form that puts her in the mix but doubts as to whether she can reproduce that over two miles in a race as deep as this.
Wall of Fire (15) (T: Hugo Palmer J: Craig Williams)
Progressed rapidly through the handicap ranks in 2016 but is without a win since in seven starts that have taken in the UAE, the US and Australia as well as England where he ran as well as he's ever done in chasing home Defoe at Newbury when last seen. Ran well in the Herbert Power at Caulfield last time too and could be sharpened up by a change in headgear (visor replaces blinkers) so looks a leading player having been given every chance by the Australian handicapper.
Thomas Hobson (21) (T: Willie Mullins J: Joao Moreira)
Came close to completing a Royal Ascot double in June and has the assistance of the 'Magic Man' in the saddle but possible to pick holes in his form in the context of this race and he may lack the change of gear necessary to lift this prize.
Rekindling (4) (T: Joseph O'Brien J: Corey Brown)
Promising stayer with a touch of class having finished fourth in the Dante Stakes and the St Leger. Feasibly weighted on that form and reportedly taken his travels in his stride but this is a demanding test at this stage of his career and he's another whose looked more of a galloper than a quickener and others may be sharper.
Amelie's Star (10) (T: Darren Weir J: Dean Yendall)
Impressive winner of the Bart Cummings two starts back with Almandin only fourth and has been shortened up since drawing box 10. Disappointed in the Caulfield Cup but arguably had too much use made of her that day (tried to make all having tracked the pace when winning the time before) so possible to excuse that defeat and could be a player getting weight from most of her rivals if she gets the trip.
Cismontane (17) (T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Beau Mertens)
Crept into the line-up with victory in Saturday's Lexus Stakes, making all, having previously split Libran and Big Duke in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup. This year's renewal of the Lexus didn't look the strongest and likely to struggle to dominate this field.
Conclusion
The great Makybe Diva reeled off a hat-trick of Cup wins between 2003 and 2005 but it's no easy task winning back-to-back renewals of this race. As the market suggests, Almandin is still a huge player and last year's third Hartnell is interesting at a price but home contenders with solid credentials are few and far between and it's the raiders that dominate the market.
Marmelo and Johannes Vermeer boast obvious credentials, especially the former, but there are alternatives at slightly longer odds with Max Dynamite and WALL OF FIRE of particular interest. With a wide draw and a lack of a prep, Red Cardinal and Tiberian have drifted to prices that are tempting to chance despite those perceived negatives.
Hugo Palmer's runner appeals as having all of the right credentials for this test and at prices up to 14/1, Wall Of Fire gets the vote. There is a slight concern about his conversion rate since being stepped up in grade so preference is to back him each-way with Sky Bet paying six places.
1. Wall Of Fire
2. Marmelo
3. Max Dynamite
4. Almandin
5. Johannes Vermeer
6. Tiberian