Breeding & Racing Magazine

47 2nd Acceptances For Gr1 Melbourne Cup

There were 47 hopefuls remaining in contention for places in the 24-horse field for the $6 million Gr1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday 1 November when 2nd acceptances closed yesterday. They include 13 internationally-trained horses, with 10 of those currently inside the top 24 plus the Brian Ellison-trained pair Moyenne Corniche & Saptapadi & Luca Cumani’s 2008 runner-up Bauer now occupying positions 27-29. Cumani could have as many 4 runners if Bauer sneaks into the field; his Caulfield Cup runners Drunken Sailor & Manighar are guaranteed a start, while Sahara Sun (24th) is on the cusp of starting if he impresses in tomorrow’s Bendigo Cup. Triple Melbourne Cup-winning owner Lloyd Williams & his private trainer Robert Hickmott have the biggest representation with 6 runners, including Linton who was scratched from last Saturday’s Drake International Cup at Moonee Valley; the stable’s other acceptors are Midas Touch, Mourayan, At First Sight, Tanby & Caulfield Cup runner-up Green Moon. Sydney trainer Gai Waterhouse has 4 2nd-acceptors, led by Caulfield Cup place-getter Tullamore (25th). And Bart Cummings (who boasts a record 12 Melbourne Cup victories) still has 3 horses entered, with German import Illo (3rd in the Drake International Cup on his Australian debut) & Precedence both guaranteed a start.