All eight Melbourne Cup foreign raiders will race without an Aussie lead-up run

THE foreign raiders for the Melbourne Cup are here, but only one has ever won the race without an Australian lead-up run.

Vintage Crop is led away after winning the 1993 Melbourne Cup.

PUNTERS will have to use the crystal ball on an unprecedented eight internationals that will contest next week’s Emirates Melbourne Cup without an Australian lead-up run.

In the past two years, there have been five foreign runners attempting to claim the Cup without having an Aussie lead-up run. There were four in Americain’s 2010 Cup.

Although Vintage Crop remains the only international to win the Cup without an Australian lead-up run, Fiorente and Red Cadeaux have run second in the past two Cups when first-up.

Familiar names Dunaden, Red Cadeaux and last year’s best closer, Mount Athos, have returned. Gai Waterhouse has Tres Blue off the same preparation as Fiorente last year and Mike Moroney takes over on runaway Irish St Leger winner Voleuse De Coeurs.

Brown Panther, Verema and Royal Empire round out the unseen imports.

The Cup picture changed again yesterday with long-time favourite Puissance De Lune withdrawn from most markets in the anticipation of him being an official scratching today.

With a third of the field under lock and key at Werribee, Saturday’s Derby day meeting will have few genuine Cup hopes running.

The one runner that could turn betting on its head is David Hayes’ Jet Away, with Glen Boss booked for both the Mackinnon and Melbourne Cup yesterday. Jet Away ran bravely for fourth when over-racing in the Caulfield Cup.

He was only second-up in that race following a setback and a forward showing in the Mackinnon, where rivals will include Caulfield conquerorCup victor Fawkner, will see him trim up appreciably from his current $26 quote.

Murray Baker confirmed yesterday that It’s A Dundeel is out of the Melbourne Cup and he will be ­returned to New Zealand immediately to spell.

England’s champion jockey Ryan Moore has been confirmed as the new rider for Caulfield Cup runner-up Dandino in the Melbourne Cup.

Chris Waller is leaning towards skipping the Mackinnon and going straight into the Melbourne Cup with beaten Caulfield Cup favourite Hawkspur.

Waller said yesterday Foreteller would run in the Mackinnon, but was "95 per cent" unlikely to back up in the Cup.

Gai Waterhouse was relieved yesterday to see favourite Fiorente pull up in good order after his tough Cox Plate run.

Chris Munce expects to be given a clearance by his doctor today after being stood down from the last seven races at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

His manager Garry Legg said Munce expects to be riding Wednesday after complaining of dizziness and feeling faint following his ride on Runway Angel.

Munce has been booked to ride Dear Demi in next Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.

Waterhouse watched Tres Blue work four laps of Werribee yesterday under track rider Ryan Prendergast, alternating between steady canters and half-pace gallops.