A capacity field seems certain to contest the $2.5 million TJ Smith Stakes, the premier sprint race during The Championships.
Eighteen acceptors with three emergencies have been paid up for the 1200-metre weight-for-age race at Randwick on Saturday.
The field includes 11 Group One winners, headed by Queensland star Buffering, Ireland’s George Ryder Stakes hero Gordon Lord Byron and Newmarket Handicap winner Lankan Rupee.
Lankan Rupee, rated the most promising sprinter in Australia, has drawn the rails with Buffering alongside him in gate two.
Gordon Lord Byron has drawn the middle of the field in barrier 11.
The three-year-old contingent will be headed by dual Group One winner Zoustar who has drawn barrier six.