Lexus door popular as record 12 internationals remain in contention for Melbourne Cup

NINE Melbourne Cup contenders are poised to chase Lexus Stakes victory in last-ditch attempts to seal a Melbourne Cup berth as the internationals threaten to dominate.

Charlie Appleby trained horse Qewy is seen during trackwork at Werribee on Tuesday morning ahead of the Caulfield Cup on Saturday, Tuesday, October 17, 2017. (AAP Image/Joe Castro) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

NINE Melbourne Cup contenders are poised to chase Lexus Stakes victory in last-ditch attempts to seal a Melbourne Cup berth as the internationals threaten to dominate.

A record 12 northern hemisphere visitors could make up half Tuesday’s Cup field depending on the results of Wednesday’s Bendigo Cup and Saturday’s Lexus at Flemington.

While three of Saturday’s Lexus entrants — Bondi Beach (17th in order), Big Duke (19) and Gallante (20) — can’t be displaced from the Melbourne Cup, any of a further nine Cup aspirants could still gatecrash the field.

With just 36 horses left in contention after Monday’s second acceptances, Harlem (27), Aloft (28), Foundry (29), Vengeur Masque (30), Pentathlon (31) and Cismontane and Kellstorm (equal 33rd) can make the cut with Lexus success.

And Guardini and Alward could pass the first ballot clause and leapfrog high-ranked rivals with victory in the 2500m Group 3.

When second acceptances were taken for the $6million Melbourne Cup, a third of the 36 survivors are based at the Werribee quarantine station.

If the visiting dozen makes the final field, the existing record of 11 — set in 2011 and matched in 2015 — will fall.

Last year’s winner Almandin, a German-bred import, Caulfield Cup winner Boom Tim and Cox Plate runner-up Humidor are among the locals who will attempt to stave off the invaders.

Hartnell, third in last year’s Cup, is also among the remaining Australian contenders and will carry top weight of 57.5kg if trainer James Cummings proceeds to the Cup.

If so, he will be ridden by Damian Lane, while Blake Shinn retains the ride on Humidor.

Of the 12 internationals, 11 are already ranked inside the top 24 although there is the possibility Wall Of Fire, at No 24, could be squeezed out.

Godolphin’s Chris Connett warned veteran Qewy (No 22) won’t take his place in the Cup unless he posts a dominant Bendigo Cup win on Wednesday.

Bart Cummings was 30 year old when had his first Melbourne Cup runner. James will be 29. Biggest shoes in racing to try to fill. Go Hartnell

— Dominic Beirne (@domran) October 30, 2017

Lloyd Williams, already the most successful Cup owner in history with five trophies, will chase a sixth victory with possibly five runners — Almandin, Bondi Beach and foreign-trained Johannes Vermeer, US Army Ranger and Rekindling.

He also owns Aloft and Foundry as well as fully qualified Bondi Beach and Gallante.

Irishman Willie Mullins could have three representatives — 2015 runner-up Max Dynamite, Wicklow Brave and Thomas Hobson, who is on the borderline at 26th in the order.

Jockey Hugh Bowman rides Marmelo in during a trackwork session at Werribee this month. Picture: AAP

German stayer Red Cardinal, prepared by 2014 Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Andreas Wohler, and Scotland’s Nakeeta are assured starts.

A total of 19 horses were withdrawn from the Cup at yesterday’s acceptance deadline, including gun mare Bonneval.

Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman will instead start stablemate Jon Snow.

Final acceptances will be taken at Flemington at 4.30pm on Saturday ahead of the barrier draw.

Boom Time wins this year’s Caulfield Cup. Picture: Getty Images

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MELBOURNE CUP PROBABLES

Boom Time

Amelie’s Star

Almandin

Hartnell

Jon Snow

Humidor

Tiberian

Rekindling

Red Cardinal

Marmelo

Single Gaze

Johannes Vermeer

Who Shot Thebarman

Max Dynamite

Ventura Storm

Wicklow Brave

US Army Ranger

Big Duke

Libran

Nakeeta

Wall Of Fire

Qewy needs a big performance in Wednesday’s Bendigo Cup if he is going to press on to the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Getty Images

POSSIBLES

Bondi Beach

Gallante

Qewy

Abbey Marie

Thomas Hobson

Harlem

Aloft

Foundry

Vengeur Masque

Pentathlon

Cool Chap

Cismontane

Kellstorm

NOT PASSED BALLOT

Guardini

Alward

Definitely out

Bonneval

Sir Isaac Newton

Chocante

Assign

Lizzie L’Armour

Annus Mirabilis

Berisha

Harlow Gold

Fanatic

Gallic Chieftain

Broadside

Auvray

CUP WEEK

Michael Manley looks at the eight Group 1 races to be run over the four Flemington meetings

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 4

$1 million VICTORIA DERBY (2500m, 3YO)

Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young have a strong hand with SULLY and MAIN STAGE. They could also have a third runner in JOHNNY VINKO. Sydney colt ACE HIGH has won his past two starts, including the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes.

$1 million COOLMORE STUD STAKES (1200m, 3YO)

Trainer Aaron Purcell has brilliant colts MERCHANT NAVY and JUKEBOX and David Hayes will run three top fillies, CATCHY, TULIP and FORMALITY. The brilliant INVINCIBLE STAR will also run.

$1 million KENNEDY MILE (1600m)

Known as the Cantala Stakes last year, it’s a handicap for the top milers in the land. Darren Weir’s TOSEN STARDOM, who won the Toorak Handicap, will start favourite. Weir will back up LUCKY HUSSLER. The in-form RELIGIFY will also start.

$500,000 MYER CLASSIC (1600m, fillies and mares)

Gai Waterhouse’s GLOBAL GLAMOUR will do battle with other top mares such as Chris Waller pair EGG TART and FOXPLAY, PETITION and last year’s winner, I AM A STAR.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7

$6 million MELBOURNE CUP (3200m)

Can ALMANDIN make it two in a row. He faces a strong international contingent of RED CARDINAL, MARMELO, JOHANNES VERMEER and REKINDLING. Weir will run Cox Plate second HUMIDOR.

Aloisia records a dominant victory the Moonee Valley Vase on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 9

$1 million VRC OAKS (2500m, 3YO fillies)

Purcell’s brilliant filly ALOISIA looks to have a mortgage on the race. The threats could be Tony McEvoy’s BRING ME ROSES, Waterhouse’s PINOT and Anthony Freedman’s RELIABLE DAME.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 11

$1 million DARLEY CLASSIC (1200m, weight-for-age)

The gun sprinters meet again — CHAUTAUQUA, VEGA MAGIC, last year’s winner MALAGUERRA and the quinella from the Manikato Stakes, HEY DOC and IN HER TIME.

$1 million EMIRATES STAKES (2000m, weight-for-age)

Main interest will be whether WINX runs in the race formerly known as the Mackinnon Stakes. If not, the likes of GAILO CHOP, FOLKSWOOD, HARTNELL, HAPPY CLAPPER and TOSEN STARDOM could take centre stage.

Hartnell is expected to contest the Emirates Stakes on the final day of the Flemington carnival. Picture: Getty Images

MARKETS

VICTORIA DERBY

$4.40 ACE HIGH, MAIN STAGE

$7 Sully, Tangled, Weather With You

$13 Ocean’s Fourteen

MELBOURNE CUP

$7 ALMANDIN, HUMIDOR

$8 Marmelo

$11 Johannes Vermeer

$13 Wall Of Fire

$15 Red Cardinal, Rekindling, Thomas Hobson

VRC OAKS

$1.70 ALOISIA

$5 Pinot

$7 Bring Me Roses

$9 Temple Of Bel

$13 Luvaluva, Reliable Dame

Odds: TAB