Adam Cullen's portrait of David Wenham. Cullen took the prize, announced at the New South Wales Art Gallery, from a field including Ann Thomson, David Fairbairn, Keith Looby and Bill Leak. Here is how critic Sebastian Smee sized up the entrants. With the curly weather making track conditions hard to predict, it's likely the pack will stay closely bunched. It's not a strong field.
Few contenders look to have the goods to break away.
Although if it's to be anyone, it could be last year's runner-up, Adam Cullen, who has slapped onto canvas a likable likeness of actor David Wenham. The one to beat. Pipped at the post in a photo-finish last year. Popular with the punters and with the stewards. Not carrying much weight.