It is going to be a struggle to get a position in the field for the 150th Melbourne Cup, with 14 internationals set to try and steal our greatest race.Of the 14 internationals, eight are currently in the top 24 runners in the order of entry.
Four more are in the top 40.
France will be represented by the Australian-owned Americain, trained by Alain de Royer Dupre.
Hong Kong will have Group 1 winner Mr Medici, while Japan has iron horse Tokai Trick engaged.
The United Kingdom will be represented by the Luca Cumani quartet of Manighar, Drunken Sailor, Bauer and Becqu Adoree. They will also have Irish St Leger winner Sans Frontieres and the OTI Racing-owned Stanstill.
Ireland will be represented by Dermot Weld’s Profound Beauty.
The representation from the United Arab Emirates is perhaps the most intriguing, with Godolphin set to bring five horses to Melbourne – three for the Cup.
As revealed FIRST by Just Horse Racing, Godolphin will be represented by Holberg and Campanologist. Eastern Aria has since been purchased by Godolphin and will race in their silks on Melbourne Cup Day.
Fellow Cup entrants Once More Dubai and Pompeyano will come to Melbourne to compete in lesser races, such as the Queen’s Cup (2600m) on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
It is a race that Godolphin have won twice – with Hatha Anna in 2001 and Fantastic Love in 2004.
Safely positioned in the field are Sans Frontieres (1st), Campanologist (7th), Profound Beauty (11th), Mr Medici (12th), Illustrious Blue (14th), Tokai Trick (15th), Manighar (25th) and Americain (27th).
Given that a number of higher ranked horses have pulled out in the last week, most notably Rite of Passage, Cavalryman and Rebel Raider, those down to 27th look safely positioned given natural attrition.
Just outside the order are Bauer (30th), Holberg (37th), Drunken Sailor (39th) and Eastern Aria (40th).
Well down the order and unlikely to get a run unless they win a lead up are Becqu Adoree (70th) and Stanstill (112th).
The invasion has begun, with Tokai Trick and Mr Medici arriving earlier this week.
A planeload of Caulfield and Geelong Cup contenders arrives from Europe today, carrying Americain, Manighar, Drunken Sailor, Becqu Adoree and Stanstill.
Another plane will arrive with contenders solely for the Melbourne Cup on October 9, with Godolphin bringing their horses three days later.
Written by Andrew Hawkins
