Melbourne Cup 2016: Logjam with 32 runners still in contention for berth in our most famous race

UPDATE: THE logjam for Melbourne Cup berths will go to the wire — and to Saturday’s Lexus Stakes — after 32 horses remained in Cup contention following Monday’s second declarations.

Caulfield Cup placegetters Scottish (rails) and Exospheric (white cap) remain numbers 10 and 11 in the order of entry for the race that stops a nation. Picture: Getty Images

A NEAR record international contingent will contest next Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.

After Monday’s second declarations, 32 horses remain in contention — 10 of them internationally trained.

The record for international contenders is 11, a figure achieved in 2011 and last year.

The final field of 24 will be named on Saturday night, after factoring in the result of the 2500m Lexus Stakes at Flemington that day.

England’s Big Orange, third in the order of entry, will be the topweight after trainer Chris Waller did not accept for Preferment yesterday.

The other raiders left in acceptors reduced from 51 to 32 on Monday are Curren Mirotic (fifth), Wicklow Brave (eight), Bondi Beach (nine), Heartbreak City (17), Beautiful Romance (19), Secret Number (22), Qewy (24) and Oceanographer (28).

With Wednesday’s Group 3 Bendigo Cup featuring only one Cup contender — Howard Be Thy Name (18), who is already assured a start — the Lexus Stakes looms as decisive for a number of fringe entrants.

While Tally (12) and Real Love (16) are guaranteed starts, Pentathlon (25), Rose Of Virginia (26) and De Little Engine and Tom Melbourne (both yet to pass the first ballot clause) all need a Lexus win to gain a Cup run.

Hartnell remains favourite for the Melbourne Cup despite his heavy defeat to Winx at the weekend. Picture: Getty Images

Others on the borderline, such as Grey Lion, will need to rely on the Lexus winner not being among the Cup entrants — or attrition.

In a sign of global powerhouse Godolphin’s strength, the Blue Army could have seven starters from three different stables.

TAB favourite Hartnell, a brave second behind Winx in Saturday’s Cox Plate, remains in the field along with Tally, also trained by John O’Shea.

Charlie Appleby has declared Geelong Cup winner Qewy and third-place getter Oceanographer, while Saeed bin Suroor, based in England like Appleby, will saddle up Secret Number and Beautiful Romance.

Weights will be raised by 1kg at final acceptances, leaving Big Orange to shoulder 57kg.

Race conditions stipulate a minimum top weight of 57kg.

Lloyd Williams could have as many as four runners as he chases a fifth Melbourne Cup — Almandin, Assign, Gallante and Bondi Beach.

Final acceptances for the Cup are taken at 4.30pm on Saturday.

Nick Hall wins the Caulfield Cup on board Jameka. Picture: Colleen Petch

MELBOURNE CUP ORDER OF ENTRY

Second declarations, final declarations on Saturday

Flemington, November 1 (3200m)

1. JAMEKA (Ciaron Maher) 53.5kg (including 2.0kg penalty)

2. ALMANDIN (Robert Hickmott) 51kg (including 1.0kg penalty)

3. BIG ORANGE (Michael Bell) 56kg

4. OUR IVANHOWE (Lee & Anthony Freedman) 56kg

5. CURREN MIROTIC (Osamu Hirata) 55.5kg

6. HARTNELL (John O’Shea) 55kg

7. WHO SHOT THEBARMAN (Chris Waller) 55kg

8. WICKLOW BRAVE (Willie Mullins) 55kg

9. BONDI BEACH (Aidan O’Brien) 55kg

10. EXOSPHERIC (Lee and Anthony Freedman) 55kg

11. TALLY (John O’Shea) 52.5kg

12. GRAND MARSHAL (Chris Waller) 53.5kg

13. GALLANTE (Robert Hickmott) 53.5kg

14. ALMOONQITH (D & B Hayes and T Dabernig) 53.5kg

15. REAL LOVE (Darren Weir) 52kg

16. SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD (John Thompson) 53kg

17. HEARTBREAK CITY (Tony Martin) 53kg

18. HOWARD BE THY NAME (Darren Weir) 51.5kg

19. BEAUTIFUL ROMANCE (Saeed bin Suroor) 51.5kg

20. EXCESS KNOWLEDGE (Waterhouse & Bott) 52.5kg

21. ASSIGN (Robert Hickmott) 51kg

22. SECRET NUMBER (Saeed bin Suroor) 51kg

23. GREY LION (Matt Cumani) 51kg

24. QEWY (Chris Appleby) 50.5kg (including 0.5 penalty)

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25. PENTATHLON (John Wheeler) 50.5kg

26. ROSE OF VIRGINIA (Lee & Shannon Hope) 50kg

27. VENGEUR MASQUE (Michael Moroney) 50kg

28 OCEANOGRAPHER (Charlie Appleby) 50kg

Not passed ballot

DE LITTLE ENGINE (Danny O’Brien) 50kg

THE BANDIT (John Sadler) 50kg

TOM MELBOURNE (Lee & Anthony Freedman) 50kg