2016 Crystal Mile nominations have been taken and released, and twenty-four runners subsequently remain in contention for a position in a capacity field of fourteen at Moonee Valley Racecourse on Saturday.

Abbey Marie has not been seen at the races since breaking through for a maiden win at the highest level in autumn, but the mare is poised for a competitive return on Saturday after being included in 2016 Crystal Mile nominations.

Debuting to racing for a comfortable win in the Cove Hotel Maiden Plate (1300m) on March 23^rd, Abbey Marie repeated the dose in the JRA BM70 (1440m) at Caulfield on April 23^rd.

While never tested at the distance or the class, the Redoute’s Choice filly was thrown in the deep end in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) third-up, but justified trainer Mick Kent’s decision with an impressive win.

Happy Clapper has produced a number of typically-consistent performances this time in and should be well suited to the conditions of the 2016 Crystal Mile.

Running second in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) and third in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) during The Championships, Happy Clapper resumed this time for fifth in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m).

Progressing to sixth in the Group 3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m), the Teofilo gelding was last seen running on for fourth in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m).

Thunder Fantasy has returned to Australian shores following several seasons abroad in Hong Kong and has been included for his second-up appearance in 2016 Crystal Mile nominations.

Beginning his career under the guidance of Anthony Cummings, Thunder Fantasy ended his debut racing season third in the 2013 edition of the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2400m).

Resuming in 2014 for a smart win in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m), the Lucky Owners entire placed third in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) and second in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) most notably.

Winning the Group 1 Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) most notably in his time under the guidance of John Size, Thunder Fantasy was rated virtually no chance of success in the October Handicap (1400m) first-up this time but comfortably beat a classy field to the line.

The United States is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from a first-up run for sixth in the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) and has also been included in 2016 Crystal Mile nominations.

Returning to racing in career-best form in autumn, the Galileo entire won the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) and finished second in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes most notably.

The 2016 Crystal Mile field and barrier draw is due to be completed and released by midday, Wednesday.

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2016 Crystal Mile Nominations

#	Last 10	Horse	Sex	Age	Trainer	Hcp Rating
1	111x	ABBEY MARIE	M	4	Michael Kent	96
2	77×0002152	AKAVOROUN	G	7	Ciaron Maher	99
3	2127x7354x	CLOSING BELL (USA)	H	5	Chris Waller	100
4	730x8011x0	COLDSTONE (FR)	G	5	Michael Kent	85
5	044106x0x0	DESERT JEUNEY	G	7	Nigel Blackiston	98
6	2x1442x233	FEDERAL	G	5	John O’Shea	99
7	0007071162	GREAT ESTEEM	G	6	Stuart Webb	100
8	1x4523x564	HAPPY CLAPPER	G	6	Patrick Webster	107
9	08x0775x85	HAPPY TRAILS	G	9	Paul Beshara	109
10	x2018x7323	HE OR SHE	G	6	David & B Hayes & T Dabernig	–
11	5×11828447	JACQUINOT BAY	G	9	David & B Hayes & T Dabernig	102
12	12217×2225	LE ROMAIN	G	4	Kris Lees	108
13	900x1xD2x0	LIDARI (FR)	H	8	Darren Weir	102
14	x040412201	MR INDIVIDUAL	H	4	Leon & Troy Corstens	84
15	113x67x661	NOZOMI	G	5	Lee & Anthony Freedman	89
16	0x0730x595	OBSERVATIONAL (GB)	G	6	John Sadler	95
17	13111x9x00	RANGIPO	G	4	Tony Pike	105
18	3217111114	ROYAL RAPTURE	G	7	Darren Weir	103
19	7236033×85	STRATUM STAR	H	5	Darren Weir	109
20	11246×3449	TASHBEEH	H	5	David & B Hayes & T Dabernig	97
21	610x5212x6	THE UNITED STATES (IRE)	H	7	Robert Hickmott	111
22	x4651818x1	THUNDER FANTASY	H	6	Anthony Cummings	107
23	689×211521	ULMANN	G	5	Darren Weir	98
24	155156×605	UN DE SCEAUX	G	4	Todd Balfour	72