Last year's winner Redzel is one of four $7 equal favourites for The Everest after drawing barrier one in the $13 million race.
The others at $7 are Shoals who starts from barrier two, Vega Magic gate seven and Trapeze Artist six.
Irish visitor U S Navy Flag has firmed from $11 to $9 after coming up with barrier three.
Champion English jockey Ryan Moore will ride U S Navy Flag who was targeted at the race by trainer Aidan O'Brien after his win in the July Cup.
Viddora, a $15 chance, will start from the outside gate in the field of 12 but her trainer Lloyd Kennewell has no concerns.
"She is not a forward-running horse so we didn't want to draw one," Kennewell said.
"It is what it is."
Newcastle trainer Kris Lees will have three runners - Le Romain who starts from barrier 11, In Her Time (8) and three-year-old Graff (10).
"I would have liked Graff to draw a bit closer," he said.
"But I'll study the field over the next few days.
"The wide barrier is not too bad for Le Romain. He likes to build up into his race.
"And the forecast of more rain is good for him."
Godolphin's Osborne Bulls will jump from barrier five after being promoted to the field with the scratching on Tuesday of his stablemate Home Of The Brave.
The Australian Turf Club, which had selected Home Of The Brave, moved quickly to secure Osborne Bulls who will be ridden by Tommy Berry.
Osborne Bulls also replaced Home Of The Brave in barrier five with draw conducted earlier in the day amid security concerns following days of controversy over the draw being beamed on to the sails of the Sydney Opera House.
The racing colours and the barrier numbers were the only parts to be displayed with the process taking around five minutes.