“History says it’s usually only a small field but there may be double digits. Nature Strip, Bivouac and those other horses, it should be a sensational race.”

Speedy three-year-old Anders is also a chance to run in the group 1 for Ciaron Maher Racing.

A capacity crowd of 15,000 will be allowed to headquarters on Saturday, which will be more than enough for Lightning Stakes day, which traditionally attracts a crowd of about 10,000 people.

Not since Super Saturday last March – on the eve of COVID-19 restrictions – has the club hosted such a big crowd, but Jordon said the VRC was looking forward to welcoming back racegoers for one of its marquee race days.

“With COVID and people not being able to go to the races [until now], you never know [how many we might get],” he said.

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“Bookings have been pretty healthy and that will ramp up this week.

“The weather outlook is looking good. I know it’s early in the week but it’s low-to-mid 20s so it should be excellent.

“It should be the biggest crowd we’ve had since COVID.”

The CS Hayes Stakes will also be a highlight on the Flemington card.

Last year's edition was arguably the race of the autumn when Alligator Blood and Catalyst battled nose to nose over the final 300 metres before Alligator Blood stretched out his neck and won. The former David Van Dyck-trained galloper, now with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, then went onto win the Australian Guineas at his next start.

New Zealand three-year-old Brando will be looking to go one better than Catalyst did last year when he makes his Australian debut in the race for Jamie Richards and Jye McNeil.

Others expected to run in the CS Hayes include Aim for Team Snowden, West Australian horse Dom To Shoot, who's hoping to earn an All-Star Mile start, Embolism for Danny O'Brien, Here To Shock for Brent Stanley and Zac De Boss for Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra.

Oaks winner Personal will also resume for the autumn at Flemington on Saturday in the Vanity Stakes.