Angaston trainer Tony McEvoy leading the charge of SA hopefuls at Flemington

THERE might not be a South Australian runner in the Melbourne Cup, but that hasn't stopped the state from boasting a strong presence at Flemington today.

Tony McEvoy has eight runners competing at Flemington today.

THERE might not be a South Australian runner in the Melbourne Cup, but that hasn't stopped the state from boasting a strong presence at Flemington today.

There is an astonishing 18 SA-based horses set to race on the card, while three of the state's top jockeys - Dom Tourneur, Matthew Neilson and Clare Lindop - are also competing.

Angaston trainer Tony McEvoy, who has won the past two Adelaide premierships, is leading the charge with eight runners and has specifically targeted this day.

"This carnival is like the Olympics for racing," McEvoy told The Advertiser yesterday.

"It's tremendous for my brand to have my colours represented on one of the pinnacle days on the calendar.

"My runners have all been set for these races and I think they are genuine each-way chances."

It hasn't been since the halcyon days of Colin Hayes and his thriving Lindsay Park stable, which McEvoy was a part of, that SA has had such a prominent contingent on the support card.

"It's really good for SA racing and generally whenever our horses come across, they're very competitive," he said.

McEvoy rates talented mare Assertive Eagle, who races in the Group 3 Lavazza Short Black (1400m), as the best hope of his team.

"She's competed at this level before and she's racing well," he said.

"She only needs to hold her form to be right in the finish, while the others probably need to take a step up."

Morphettville's Richard Jolly is the only other trainer to have multiple runners and he saddles up Durbridge Stakes-winner Golden Penny as well as smart three-year-old Pistolier.

Just Discreet (Spring Stakes), Gris Caro (Balaklava Cup) and Pelicano (Murray Bridge Gold Cup) have also won black-type races in SA this campaign and will be looking to take that form into Flemington.

SA-TRAINED RUNNERS AT FLEMINGTON ON CUP DAY

RACE 2 - Lady Dynamo (Jon O'Connor), Classy Chloe (John Hickmott), Endless Shadow (Tony McEvoy)

RACE 3 - Raki (Tony McEvoy)

RACE 4 - Golden Penny (Richard Jolly), Assertive Eagle (Tony McEvoy), Potiche (Tony McEvoy)

RACE 5 - Iconic (Tony McEvoy), Pistolier (Richard Jolly)

RACE 6 - Bring A Ring (Tony McEvoy)

RACE 8 - Pelicano (Tony McEvoy), Gris Caro (Jake Stephens)

RACE 9 - Just Discreet (Phillip Stokes), Avoid Lightning (David Jolly), Addiction To Rock (Will Clarken), Nearest To Pin (Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas), Like Bolt (Darryl Carrison)

RACE 10 - Swipeline (Tony McEvoy)