Trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre has kept his options open with reigning Melbourne Cup winner Americain by paying up for him as a second acceptor in both the $2.5 million Caulfield Cup and the $3 million Cox Plate.
Americain was among the 80 second declarations on Tuesday for the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 15 and the 59 horses left in the Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley a week later.
Kiwi co-trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson made their intentions known with Scarlett Lady who remains in Caulfield Cup contention but is no longer in the Cox Plate.
The Greg Eurell-trained Pinker Pinker and the Grahame Begg-prepared Secret Admirer are both still in the Cox Plate but have dropped out of the Caulfield Cup.
There are six three-year-olds left in the Cox Plate including highly-rated colts, the Anthony Cummings-trained Smart Missile and Helmet from the Peter Snowden yard.
Sabrage, Zabeelionaire, Dowager Queen and Pane In The Glass are the other three-year-olds still in the Cox Plate.
All of those most prominent in Cox Plate markets remain including last year’s third placegetter Whobegotyou and boom Kiwi four-year-old Jimmy Choux who are $7 equal favourites with TAB Sportsbet.
Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes winner Rekindled Interest ($9) and last Saturday’s Group One winners Sincero ($12) and Lion Tamer ($14) are all there.
Among the best-performed omissions were top Sydney miler Ilovethiscity, injured dual Group One winner Heart Of Dreams and now-retired last-start Makybe Diva Stakes winner Littorio.
Naturalism Stakes winner December Draw is $4 Caulfield Cup favourite ahead of Scarlett Lady at $7 and the Lloyd Williams-owned pair, At First Sight ($10) and Midas Touch ($11).
The picture for both the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate will become even clearer when third declarations are taken on October 4.
AAP TURF
