The 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes nominations have been released and the Group 1 event at Royal Randwick on April 11 is set to include two Japanese runners after To The World and Tosen Stardom were included in the initial entries.

Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist is one of 120 horses that have been included in the 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes nominations. Photo by: Steve Hart

To The World made his racing debut made his racing debut in 2013 and has quickly stamped himself as one of the most talented horses in Japan, despite failing to break through for a win at the highest level of racing.

The King Kamehameha entire scored his maiden win at black type level when he took out the Group 2 Hochi Hai Yayoi Sho (2011m) at Nakayama in March last year and was second behind Isla Bonita in the Group 1 Japanese 2000 Guineas (2011m) at the same venue on April 20 before he finished a slightly disappointing fifth in the Group 1 Japanese Derby (2413m) at Tokyo on June 1.

To The World returned to racing with a second place finish in the Group 2 Asahihai St. Lite Kinen (2213m) at Niigata on September 21 and he failed to fire in the Group 1 Japanese St Leger (3000m) at Kyoto on October 26 before he produced the best performance of his career to date when he finished second behind champion mare Gentildonna in the Group 1 The Arima Kinen (2500m) at Nakayam on December 28 – beating the likes of Gold Ship, Just A Way and Epiphaneia.

Tosen Stardom finished behind To The World in both the Japanese 2000 Guineas and the Japanese Derby, but had the measure of his rival in the Japanese St Leger before he took out the Group 3 The Challenge Cup (1800m) at Hanshin at the end of last year.

Melbourne-based hoop Nick Hall has been booked to ride To The World in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m), while Tommy Berry will take the ride on Tosen Stardom.

One of the most popular horses in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes nominations is Ed Dunlop-trained Red Cadeaux, who is guaranteed to make the trip to Australia for the Australian Cup and The Championships.

Red Cadeaux will be returning to Australia for the fifth time in his racing career after finishing third in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in 2011, 2013 and 2014.

The Queen Elizabeth Stakes could also feature a Hong Kong-trained presence in the form of 2014 Hong Kong Vase winner Dominant, but the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) is considered the more likely target for the promising stayer.

The 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes nominations are packed full of quality and Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist and Cox Plate winner Adelaide are a chance of meeting for the first time in the $4 million event.

Protectionist recorded one of the most dominant wins in recent Melbourne Cup history at Flemington last year and he is on track to start his autumn campaign in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on February 28 before returning to Group 1 level for the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 14.

Owners Australian Bloodstock will then decide whether Protectionist remains at 2000 metres for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes or steps up to 2400 metres for the Group 1 The BMW (2400m) a fortnight earlier.

Adelaide has not made a public appearance since his memorable win in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley in October of last year, but connections revealed this morning that he is on track to return to racing in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m).

The Galileo entire was also included in the nominations for the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) that were released this afternoon, but the Queen Elizabeth Stakes is the major autumn target for the two-time Group 1 winner.

Trainer Chris Waller will be chasing his third win in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes with Adelaide and he has also included Group 1 winner Beaten Up, Boban, Foreteller, Hawkspur, He’s Your Man, Moriarty, Preferment, Royal Descent, Sacred Falls and Who Shot Thebarman in the nominations for the race.

It’s A Dundeel won the 2014 edition of the Queen Elizabeth Stakes a year after winning the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) and Criterion will have the chance to replicate that effort in 2015.

Criterion produced an outstanding performance to finish third behind Designs On Rome and Military Attack in the Group 1 Hong Kong Cup (2000m) in December and he is set to follow a similar path to Adelaide in the autumn.

No three-year-old has won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes since Intergaze in 1997, but the likes of Almalad, Bondeiger, First Seal, Hampton Court, Hallowed Crown, Merion, Scissor Kick and Shooting To Win have been included in the nominations.

Other interesting horses in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes nominations include talented mare Cosmic Endeavour, Godolphin import Contributer, cult hero The Cleaner, imported galloper Tales Of Grimm, four-time Group 1 winner Silent Achiever and Perth Cup winner Real Love.

2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes Nominations