12 horses are set to tackle the mile at Sandown Racecourse this Friday in the Listed Lord Stakes (1600m), otherwise known as the Master Yearlings Heat 2 Stakes.

Mouro will jump from barrier five in the Lord Stakes at Sandown Racecourse on Saturday. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

The $120,000 mile race is one of two black-type races running in Melbourne on Boxing Day, headlined by Tony McEvoy’s Mouro.

The six-year-old horse won the Group 3 TAB Rewards Stakes (1400m) in March but has had a hard time since then, finishing end of the field in the Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m), Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m), and Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) all during the autumn. After six months in the spelling paddock, Mouro returned to finish runner-up in the Kingswood Handicap (1350m) at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse on November 15 before losing ground in the Listed Festival Stakes (1500m) two weeks later to finish end of the field in tenth place.

Mouro has once again been allocated the top weight of 60kg and is set to jump from barrier five with Nicholas Hall to ride.

Hot on Mouro’s heels is the Darren Weir-trained Akzar. The seven-year-old gelding enjoyed a run of six consecutive first two finishes at the beginning of the year, which included a second placing in the Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) as well as winning the Warrnambool Cup (2350m).

The gelding then travelled to Brisbane during the winter for both the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) and Group 2 Eagle Farm Cup (2200m) but finished just outside the placings both times. The Lord Stakes will be Akzar’s first run this campaign after a well-deserved break and he will jump from barrier seven under Brad Rawiller for the fourth time in a row.

David Hayes & Tom Dabernig will run two horses on Friday, Backstedt and Jacquinot Bay, while Mick Price will deliver a three-pronged attack with Tango’s Daughter, Mighty Like, and Aeratus.

Five-year-old gelding Backstedt won the Booralite Park Handicap last time out over the same track and distance as the 2014 Lord Stakes but will have to overcome a wide start from barrier 11 while Jacquinot Bay was runner-up in the race and will enjoy a jump from the ideal barrier three.

Tango’s Daughter finished third in the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes (1400m) during the spring before finishing fourth in both the Eliza Park International Stakes (1600m) and Momentum Energy Stakes (2000m). The four-year-old mare will enjoy the rails run from barrier one with Daniel Moor in the saddle.

Five-year-old gelding Mighty Like has won his two starts this campaign and will jump from barrier nine with Dean Yendall while Provincial Plate (1610m) winner Aeratus will jump from barrier four with Glen Boss to ride.

Check out the complete 2014 Lord Stakes final field and barrier draw below.

The betting market for the race will open at Ladbrokes.com.au shortly so open your online betting account in preparation.

2014 Lord Stakes Final Field & Barrier Draw