A total of 66 local and 6 internationals horses remain in the running after first acceptances were taken today for the 164th running of Australia’s greatest race.
The announcement comes days after the arrival of the first shipment of internationals including Onesmoothoperator for Brian Ellison and Sea King for Harry Eustace, trainer and brother to Lexus Melbourne Cup-winning trainer David Eustace.
Gai Waterhouse AO and Adrian Bott still have five chances in the Lexus Melbourne Cup including import Eliyass, who remains unbeaten since arriving in Australia and will race in this weekend's feature race, the Group 1 $750,000 TAB Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
This Saturday’s TAB Turnbull Stakes Day at Flemington acts as a springboard for the big three Melbourne majors including the Lexus Melbourne Cup.
The race day has traditionally been a strong preview to the Melbourne Cup Carnival with six of the last eight locally trained Lexus Melbourne Cup winners competing on this race day in the past.
Point King for Sam and Anthony Freedman secured his spot in the race that stops a nation® after winning the Lexus Archer Stakes (2500m) on Crown Makybe Diva Stakes Day.
New Zealand trainers feature strongly in the first acceptances and include Auckland Cup winner Mahrajaan for Cambridge trainers Shaun Ritchie and Colm Murray and reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year, Sharp ‘N’ Smart for Graeme and Deborah Rogerson.
Further opportunities for horses and connections to receive ballot exemption at Flemington include the Group 3 Lexus Bart Cummings (2500m) on Saturday. Outside of Flemington, the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) offer ballot exemption.
