Must be about time to try and start peicing the field together!
Once again; this year the Cordina is the week before (19/11) is an automatic invite race. However the Newcaslte Mile (5/11 for $70K) has now officially been made an automatic invite race. On the 12th is another mile race, the Coca-Cola Amitil Sprint, at Menangle that is automatic invite. The Coke and Cordina are worth $75K each.
In the past I've been critical of the Cordina being auto invite and the Newcastle Mile being just about auto invite. But now its all official with the 3 lead ups in succession for great prizemoney I believe its a great carnival like set up and hope its a success.

It also makes picking the field harder!

Smoken Up and Mr Feelgood are just about certanties. ITMQ if connections want to come?
One from NZ. Even if Smoken Up wins the Cup they will invite one. Would be good to have Auckland Reactor and/or Monkey King in the field.
A lot depends on the opposition on the day but the way Franco Jamar is going he could certaintly win a lead up race.
Washakie is no stranger to winning the Cordina.
Broadways Best for the obligatory mare invite?
There is a stack of horses that could bob up in of the auto-invite races and win; depending on the opposition (I mean what if Smoken Up and Mr Feelgood turn up or what if it's just a Saturday night Menangle FFA)