The final field and barrier draw for Saturday’s featured Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick has been released and is highlighted by the inclusion of several previous winners at the highest level of both Australian and International racing.

Leading contender Contributer will have to overcome the outside gate in the 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Photo: Steve Hart

Adelaide (barrier 12) charged home to win the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) upon debuting to Australia in October and has been confirmed for a racing return in the 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes final field.

Yet to finish outside the places over eight competitive starts, Adelaide began his racing tenure under the care of Aidan O’Brien but has transferred to Chris Waller for the 2015 racing calendar.

Taking out a maiden event over a mile with ease on debut in late 2013, Adelaide returned in 2014 for a close second in the Group 2 Prix Hocquart (2200m) in France before returning to his native Ireland for success in the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes (2012m).

Placing second in each of the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes (2414m) and Group 1 Belmont Derby (2011m) in the United States, the son of Galileo broke through for a maiden victory at the highest level in the Group 1 Secretariat Stakes (2011m) on August 16^th.

Yet to appear on course this year, Waller is confident the conditions of the 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes will play into the strengths of Adelaide on Saturday.

Criterion has stamped his claims as a serious Queen Elizabeth Stakes contender this year and is offered a great opportunity to find an ideal running position early from barrier 4.

Undoubtedly finding career-best form to date over the 2014 edition of the Autumn Carnival, the Sebring entire finishing fourth in the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) and a close second in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m), and while appearing to be out of sorts when eighth in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m), responded in the best way possible in taking out both the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m).

Posting several typically good results over the Spring Carnival before running a credible third in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin in December, Criterion has placed third in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) and second in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) so far this time and appears ready for a return to the winner’s circle.

Japanese raider Tosen Stardom booked a trip to Australia with an impressive win over classy competition in the Group 3 Challenge Cup (1800m) at Hanshin on December 13^th and will leave from the somewhat awkward gate 11.

Posting four race wins and one minor place finish through his nine start career, Tosen Stardom debuted to Australian racing for second in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) on March 21^st and will be difficult to beat this weekend.

Godolphin has already experienced notable success via Contributer this season and will be confident of another polished in the 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Taking out the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) with ease first-up on February 14^th, Contributer broke through for a maiden Group 1 victory in the Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) on February 28^th before repeating the dose in the Ranvet Stakes last time out.

Contributer has been confirmed by leading jockey James McDonald once more in the 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes and remains a serious threat despite drawing the outside barrier 13.

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2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes Final Field and Barrier Draw