Christophe Lemaire will add a new chapter to his decorated riding career when he competes in Sydney for the first time, guiding Japanese star Rousham Park in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick.

The Frenchman, who famously claimed the 2011 Melbourne Cup on Dunaden, arrived in Sydney on Tuesday in preparation for the Group 1, 2000-metre feature on Saturday.

Drawn in barrier 12, Rousham Park will face 14 rivals in a high-quality field. Lemaire, who previously partnered the horse to a close second in the Breeders Cup Turf, feels the wide draw will work to their advantage.

“The 2000 metres I think is a perfect trip for him and I’m quite happy with that outside draw because he’s got a big stride, he likes to have some space to accelerate,” Lemaire said.

“I think from the middle of the pace, coming on the outside, he can show his class.”

Also contesting the Queen Elizabeth is Dubai Honour, who won last year’s edition and has drawn barrier 13 for Saturday’s race. He arrives in Sydney following a convincing win in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m).

Dubai Honour also took out the Ranvet Stakes last year and will be chasing his fourth Group 1 win in Australia.

Issy Paul, representing the Haggas stable, said everything is going smoothly in the lead-up.

“He’s in really good form and he was pretty fresh going into (last) Tuesday and he’s come bouncing out of the race,” Paul said.

“Hopefully that will leave us in the best possible position.

“I have obviously done a terrible job at the barrier draw, but it’s one of the things you can’t control, that and the weather, but there is a bit of rain about which should work in our favour.”

Via Sistina firmed in markets after drawing barrier one. The multiple Group 1 winner is coming off a second-place finish to Pride Of Jenni in the same race last year.

Pride Of Jenni is absent from this year’s race as she takes a brief spell before returning for the Doomben Cup and Q22 during the Brisbane winter campaign.