Four and half years since he won his maiden, in a Group 2 race at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate when Winx won her fourth Cox Plate, a Stars Of Carrum victory would mean more to trainer Robbie Laing than any of the 1153 winners and five Group 1 victories he has on his resume.

Laing, 64, was barred from training in 2019 due to bankruptcy.

He's living with his parents and training a small team of a horses, far removed from the spotlight.

There is Chalk Stream, the Royal runner carrying the colours of the King and trained by Australia's leading horseman Chris Waller.

The favoured pair of Grand Promenade and Persan – superstar local Jamie Kah chasing a second successive Adelaide Cup on Persan while John Allen (Grand Promenade) has made a habit of winning Adelaide staying featues in recent years.

Dual state horseman Phillip Stokes chasing a remarkable third Cup victory in row with Amade who has travelled from France to Australia via America.

Rebel Racer, a son of dual Derby winner Rebel Raider out of SA mare Just Sybil who struggled to run further than 1200m and tackled Black Caviar in the Sangster Stakes at the same track 11 years earlier.

And the locals.

Jason Holder chasing his second Cup win 27 years after winning aboard French Resort and teaming with his former boss Leon Macdonald and Wheels.

Apprentice Alana Livesey in just her second year of race riding aboard Buskers Ballad for Ryan Balfour.

Plus Anna Jordsjo and Callan Murray, who have travelled the world to call Adelaide home.

Murray, a Group 1 winning jockey in South Africa teaming with a barrier rogue Sebonna for one of SA's brightest training prospects Peter Hardacre, while Jordsjo, who hails from Norway, rides the roughie of the race, Wolf Prince for Grant Young. Young came agonisingly close to winning the Cup with Tunes who was narrowly beaten by Purple Smile in 2016.