Michael Dee will be aboard reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year Sharp 'N' Smart (53.5kg) for Graeme and Debbie Rogerson.
2020 Melbourne Cup winning jockey Jye McNeil hopes to go one more on Waterhouse-Bott’s Just Fine (53kg).
Zac Purton, home from Hong Kong, will compete on Land Legend (53kg) for Waller, showcasing his elite skillset.
Kerrin McEvoy, seeking his fourth Cup victory, will partner with Willie Mulins’s Absurde (52.5kg), adding to his illustrious Melbourne Cup legacy.
Andrea Atzeni, will ride Zardozi (51kg), who he partnered to fourth place in the Caulfield Cup
Holly Doyle will jump on board the impressive Sea King, after a dominant performance in the Bendigo Cup. She makes the trip to Melbourne to partner the Harry Eustace-trained stayer.
The excitement continues with Zac Lloyd riding Athabascan (52kg) and Declan Bates on Mahrajaan (52kg). Rachel King is set to pilot The Map (50kg), while 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Craig Williams takes charge of Geelong Cup winner Onesmoothoperator (51kg).
Jockeys Teo Nugent, riding the promising Interpretation (50kg) for trainer Ciaron Maher, Ron Stewart aboard the talented Fancy Man (50kg) for the Neasham/Archibald team, and Karis Teetan piloting the reliable Mostly Cloudy (50kg) from the Busuttin/Young stable are all eager to make their mark. Nikita Beriman will return to Victoria to ride Mission of Love (50kg), 17 years after winning at Flemington on Tears I Cry.