Crowd favourite in Red hot form; Protectionist primed for Cup tilt; Brambles ready to roll in Mackinnon; Keys concerned over Rich task.

Now that the winner of the Mornington Cup in a fortnight gets a free ticket into the G1 Caulfield Cup in October, the race has attracted a great deal more interest and this afternoon’s prelude has assembled a handy group of stayers on target for the feature.

A team of four stayers from the Gai Waterhouse stable and a first time entry from Sydney's premier trainer Chris Waller feature among the nominations for the $225,000 AAMI Hobart Cup at Elwick on February 10.

Kincaple has taken over as TAB SPoirtsbet favourite for the $400,000 Perth Cup on December 31 following the withdrawal of the Grant Williams trained Ranger.

Ben Melham was suspended for 15 meetings for careless riding after losing Saturday's Comic Court Handicap at Flemington on protest.