Caulfield Cup fancy Saint George faces an eleventh-hour veterinary confirmation in order to start in the event after not being passed in a preliminary check.

The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper remains under the vet’s eye and will be examined again at Caulfield on race morning after being re-plated.

An $8.50 co-second favourite with stablemate Zahrann, Saint George would be a shock removal and grant The Euphrates ($16) a start in the race.

All other 21 runners, inclusive of the four emergencies, passed the examinations. Maher also trains Royal Supremacy ($12), Middle Earth ($31) and the other three reserve entries for the Group 1 contest.

Cosmic Crusader ($5f) appears certain to start the popular elect. Despite drawing barrier 17, punters have rallied behind the WA-owned gelding and hero hoop William Pike.

International visitors are invariably hard to beat in Australia’s best staying races and Wine Dark Sea ($9), Enfjaar ($11) and Starford ($20) make up this year’s contingent.

The Harry Charlton-trained Wine Dark Sea was a dealt a blow in barrier 19 but won last start in the UK over 2715m.

“He’s here for two races. This is a horse that’s been running 2800m, so the Melbourne Cup (3200m) is something we’re also looking forward to,” Charlton said.

“So, if the draw defeats us, hopefully it leaves him in good stead for the Melbourne Cup.”

The Roger Varian-prepared Enfjaar will need to break a hoodoo extending back to 1941 of winless starters from barrier one.

“He can be ridden any number of ways really, as long as he’s comfortable and in a rhythm,” Varian said.

“He can come from off the pace or right on the pace, so we’ll have to leave that in the hands of Ray Dawson, but I think the race should suit him.”