South Africa’s answer to the Melbourne Cup, the Durban July, has always attracted outstanding fields – but this year looks like a once in a decade lineup as the country’s best young horses take on several proven superstars.

A runaway 11 length win in the Group 1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes has catapulted Harbinger to the ranking of world’s best racehorse.

Japanese horses have been cleared to travel to Australia only days before entries close for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.