Caulfield Guineas favourite Dalasan remains in the hunt for the Cox Plate after third acceptances closed for the $5 million weight-for-age race at The Valley.
A total of 35 horses remain in contention for the 2040m showpiece on October 26 after third declarations on Tuesday.
Dalasan, a $15 chance in latest Cox Plate betting, is the easing $3 favourite for Saturday’s Caulfield Guineas after drawing barrier 18 in the field of 16 plus three emergencies.
Fellow Caulfield Guineas contenders Yourdeel, Castelvecchio and Quick Thinker along with Saturday’s Thousand Guineas favourite Flit remain in the Cox Plate field.
Godolphin’s Avilius and Japanese mare Lys Gracieux, share $5 favouritism for the Cox Plate with Lys Gracieux among nine internationally trainedhorses remaining including fellow invited runners, England’s Danceteria and Japan’s Kluger.
Aidan O’Brien has kept Magic Wand and Hunting Horn in the race while O’Brien’s son Joseph has three potential runners, all owned by Lloyd Williams, Latrobe, Master Of Reality and Twilight Payment.
Williams also has Homesman and Yucatan, trained by Liam Howley, still in contention.
Gatting, Harlem, Kings Will Dream and recently replaced Cox Plate favourite Mystic Journey join Homesman in a shot at a $1 million bonus if successful, having earlier won designated lead-up races.
New Zealand mare Melody Belle was not among the 35 horses paid up for while her Jamie Richards-trained stablemate Te Akau Shark remains.
The Manikato Stakes, run on October 25, is the second of two $1 million sprints at The Valley and has 29 horses remaining after second acceptances.
Nature Strip, who won the first of those sprints, the Moir Stakes on September 27, is among the declarations along with Everest hopefuls Santa Ana Lane, In Her Time and the sole international entrant, the Aidan O’Brien-trained Ten Sovereigns.
