Via Sistina remains a firm favourite for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes after drawing in the middle of a field of 11 for the $5 million weight-for-age race.

The imported mare, who made a stunning Australian debut for trainer Chris Waller in winning the Ranvet Stakes last month, will start from barrier five in the 2000m contest at Randwick on Saturday.

She has been installed as a $2.30 chance with leading jockey James McDonald chasing his second Queen Elizabeth victory - a decade after winning on It's A Dundeel.

Pride Of Jenni and Cascadian will renew their acquaintances after dominating during the backend of the Melbourne autumn.

All-Star mile winner Pride Of Jenni has barrier three while her Australian Cup conqueror Cascadian lines up from gate six.

Godolphin representative Darren Beadman praised nine-year-old Cascadian's longevity.

"He's a remarkable, outstanding racehorse. To do what he's done and what he's achieved over a period of time … he's been competing at the highest level all the way through since he came to Australia," Beadman said.

"He's giving everyone a lot of cheek … he certainly doesn't show his age, he's such a competitor and a team favourite for everyone."

Meanwhile, Lindsay Park is hoping stable star Mr Brightside can bounce back from a disappointing fifth in the Australian Cup, with Ben Hayes suggesting the horse will appreciate softer conditions having pulled up well from his defeat.

"This track I think riding cold isn't bad, he won a Doncaster from a wide draw, his first one … I'm hoping there's a bit of give in the track, that good three in the Australian Cup he just felt the ground a little bit so with a bit of give in the track, expect a big improvement from him," Hayes said.

The field for the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) took a hit after previous market fancies Post Impressionist and More Felons didn't accept, leaving Saturday's Group 3 Chairman's Stakes (2600m) winner Circle Of Fire as the $4.50 favourite despite drawing barrier 15 of 17.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Military Mission has no easy task, carrying top weight of 56.5kg and also drawing the widest barrier.

But Bott says the $15 chance is ready to run well

"It looks a lovely race for him, happy to test him over the two miles again, I thought he was very effective last time in the Melbourne Cup," Bott said.

"The wide draw might mean he's ridden a bit more conservatively and in line with his pattern."