Trainer: C Waller
Jockey: Z Purton

Two-time defending champion seeking to achieve what no horse has done in the race's 150-year history. Very disappointing last start, but rain has arrived on cue again. Write him off at your peril.

2 Happy Trails
Trainer: P Beshara
Jockey: D Oliver

About to crash through the $3 million career earnings barrier, yet still grossly underrated. Maybe it would be different if he were from Sydney or Melbourne? Gun draw and rock hard fit coming back to the mile. Not without a hope.

3 World Ace
Trainer: Y Ikee
Jockey: N Hall

Only one of the four Japanese horses to flop in a lead-up run before The Championships. Usually races on very firm tracks, but wasn't beaten far in a group 1 over a mile by world's highest rated horse on soft ground last year. Rough hope.

4 Real Impact
Trainer: N Hori
Jockey: J McDonald

Super tough win in the George Ryder, which appears the best formline for this. Known to have a disdain for rain-affected ground and coupled with a wide barrier makes him a risk here. Under the odds.

5 Moriarty
Trainer: C Waller
Jockey: T Angland

The horse no-one thought was running in the lead-up is keeping a couple of gun three-year-olds on the outer. Group 1 winner two starts back and pleased in return last start, but this is a monumental task in the wet.

6 Royal Descent
Trainer: C Waller
Jockey: J Moreira

Unluckiest horse in racing? Hard to make an argument against. Six times she has been over the Randwick mile and she's finished second six times, including this race last year. Will have her flippers at the ready for downpour.

7 Ninth Legion
Trainer: M, W & J Hawkes
Jockey: D Dunn

Has been around about the mark this campaign - and did run well in this race last year - but his preference is for firm ground. He won't get it here. Hard to see him being in the finish.

8 Puccini
Trainer: P & J McKay
Jockey: C Newitt

Won a group 1 over a mile in New Zealand in January, but steps out onto racing's version of the MCG for this. Will relish the conditions more than most of his rivals, but doubt he has the class to figure.

9 Cosmic Endeavour
Trainer: G Waterhouse
Jockey: T Clark

Group 1 winner two starts back, group 1 flop last start. Hard to know what to make of her, but gets in with handy weight here. Big question mark whether she's suited at the mile.

10 Hallowed Crown
Trainer: B & J Cummings
Jockey: T Berry

Forget Rosehill Guineas when unsuited over 2000 metres. The Cummings', Randwick mile, light weight - he ticks a lot of boxes. But how good will he need to be from the car park draw?

11 Hooked
Trainer: J Thompson
Jockey: D Tourneur

Has been nipping away on the placegetters' heels in past two starts and looks to get a nice run from the alley. But he's shown wet tracks aren't to his liking. Place best.

12 It's Somewhat
Trainer: J O'Shea
Jockey: C Williams

Set tongues wagging with track record win at first Australian start. Had excuses second-up when racing very wide. Has snuck under the radar here, but looms as a major player.

13 Diamond Drille
Trainer: G Waterhouse
Jockey: T Huet

Has carved out a career from running well over the mile on her home track. And a win would be a great sight to see, if for no other reason, photos run ad nauseam of Gai and her suave French jockey. Doubt it will happen though.

14 Pornichet
Trainer: G Waterhouse
Jockey: K McEvoy

Doesn't have the French jockey, but has the form to suggest he will be a major player. Rising star, light weight, Gai Waterhouse - it's a recipe for success. Capable of winning.

15 Destiny's Kiss
Trainer: J Pride
Jockey: S Clipperton

Can probably pop across town after the last for Australia's world swimming trials he loves the wet that much. But a mile against some of these topliners? They might be a little sharp for him. Rough place hope.

16 Arabian Gold
Trainer: D Vandyke
Jockey: C Schofield

Lame earlier in the week, right in line to win this now. Unbeaten on heavy tracks and can't fault last run in group 1 company against the mares. Best knockout hope.

17 Leebaz 
Trainer: M, W & J Hawkes
Jockey: G Boss

Very, very good horse on his day, but has rarely been exposed to wet tracks in the past. And thought he was entitled to do a tad better last week. Can improve, but will need to.

18 Rudy
Trainer: H Page
Jockey: L Tarrant (a)

Surprisingly, for a Queenslander, has no real issues with the rain. Just gone a tad off the boil after super first-up run, but should get his share of luck from a soft draw here. Not the worst at odds.

19 Suavito
Trainer: N Blackiston
Jockey: C Brown

Arguably Australia's most improved racehorse, but the rain is a real stick in the mud here. Would have been a huge hope on a dry surface. Now there's enough reasons to doubt her.

20 Plucky Belle
Trainer: P Moody
Jockey: K O'Hara

Can't fault her form this autumn, but this a serious test now. Light weight will be a big plus in the tough conditions and might surprise a few.

21 Sweynesse (e)
Trainer: J O'Shea
Jockey: S Clipperton

Chased home the favourite in first two runs this campaign before struggling in the Rosehill Guineas. Lapped up the wet in only try on a heavy track. Serious hope if he can get a run.

22 Kermadec (e)
Trainer: C Waller
Jockey: G Boss

This trainer-jockey combo scored with Triple Honour back in 2008, Chris Waller's first major. He's scaled the top of Australian racing since and this bloke looks capable of adding to that story. He just needs to get a start.

23 Aomen (e)
Trainer: A Cummings
Jockey:

Scored a pass mark in both runs back, but pass marks don't read well enough to be in the finish of Australia's most important mile race. Would be a major surprise if he wins.

24 Malavio (e)
Trainer: S Englebrecht
Jockey:

Would be running on at the end of the Tour de France, but is rarely wearing the yellow jersey. Will have to start closer to the University of NSW than the Randwick running rail. Not in this.