The Ballarat trainer has three starters in a capacity field of 11, plus five emergencies.

Akkadian is the only one of Cumani's runners with race experience, with the colt finishing fifth in the listed Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington.

Colt Malawi Gold and filly Anthemoessa are among five first-starters.

First run in 2012, the classic is the only race run in a clockwise direction – the New South Wales and Queensland way of racing  –  in Victoria.

Four trainers dominate the field.

Along with Cumani’s major presence, Ballarat’s Darren Weir, Tony McEvoy and Sydney’s Bjorn Baker each have two acceptors.

The balance of the field hails from the Adelaide stable of Lloyd Kennewell and Euroa-based training empire of David and Ben Hayes, and Tom Dabernig.