Noble Protector bids for Schweppervesence follow-up

The six-year-old, Qatar Bloodstock-owned mare, who will be ridden by Craig Williams, has drawn barrier nine for the race, which is due off at 17.10 local time (06.10 in Britain).

The penultimate event on the nine-race card, it has drawn a field of 13 fillies and mares, and while Noble Protector has not run since the Australian spring, hopes are high she can rediscover the form that made her such a force this time last year. A good run on Saturday will enable trainer Robert Smerdon to continue aiming her at the Gr.1 Queen Of The Turf Stakes in Sydney. She was third in that race 12 months ago, beaten less than two lengths.

Formerly trained in Britain by Stuart Kittow, Noble Protector took in a 1,200m trial earlier this week, but merely as a gentle warm-up for the weekend.

Also running for Qatar Bloodstock at Flemington is the Chris Waller-trained Hursley, who runs in an $85,000 handicap over 1,900m.