Former Group 1 winning sprinter Smokin’ Joey is the top-rated nominee for the Yellowglen Stakes 2014 at Flemington Racecourse on Victoria Derby Day this Saturday.

The Goodwood winner Smokin’ Joey is looking for his first win since in Saturday’s 2014 Yellowglen Stakes. Photo: Jenny Barnes.

Formerly known as the Chatham Stakes, this year’s $200,000 Group 3 Yellowglen Stakes (1400m) takes over the race name of the Group 2 run over 1200m on the program from previous years and attracted 20 nominees.

One of the bigger names in the field is Wez Hunter’s Encosta De Lago seven-year-old Smokin’ Joey, upset $41 winner of the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) in Adelaide back in May.

Since then the veteran has failed to finish in the money in all three of his assignments including a last start fifth in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on October 18.

Moonga Stakes winner Lucky Hussler is also nominated for Saturday’s Yellowglen Stakes, the Darren Weir-trained Husson gelding coming off four straight top three runs in Melbourne.

He’s been to the track twice for one win and a second two back behind Under The Louvre in a Listed race over this distance.

Also coming via the Moonga Stakes is the John O’Shea-trained third placegetter Generalife, fourth to Shamus Seamus the run before in Sydney’s Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m).

O’Shea and Godolphin have also nominated for Commands gelding Limes coming off a seventh in the Moonga Stakes but with a credible record at Flemington (7-1-3-0).

Other last start winners along with Lucky Hussler include Phillip Stokes’ Adelaide raider Hucklebuck, the Peter & Paul Snowden-trained Sydnesider Mahara, Rainbow Gold coming off a victory at Seymour, and the Anthony Cummings-trained duo of Aomen and Spy Decoder.

Shamardal seven-year-old Aomen beat home Monton over 1400m at Randwick on October 11 while his four-year-old Testa Rosa stable mate Spy Decoder improved off a 12^th to He’s Your Man in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) to win over this distance on the Kensington track.

Other higher rated hopes then include Aeronautical who is also nominated for the $300,000 Group 2 Salinger Stakes (1200m) on Saturday, the Tony Gollan-trained Alma’s Fury gearing up for his 52^nd career start, and Gai Waterhouse’s Epsom Handicap eighth placed Hussonet four-year-old Woodbine.

See below for the full Yellowglen Stakes 2014 nominations, the final field for all the Victoria Derby Day races due out on Wednesday morning.

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2014 Yellowglen Stakes Nominations

Flemington – 01/11/2014