Just 40 horses remain in the hunt for next week’s $10 million Melbourne Cup following Monday’s third declaration deadline.
Wednesday’s Bendigo Cup (2400m) is shaping as key to the makeup of the final lineup.
Five Cup hopefuls are set to contest the race, looking to strengthen their positions on the ballot before Saturday afternoon’s final declarations. While the Bendigo Cup does not offer a guaranteed entry into the Melbourne Cup, the winner can receive a weight penalty, boosting their order via prizemoney earned.
Seven-time Melbourne Cup-winning owner Lloyd Williams now has two runners remaining – Changingoftheguard and Post Impressionist – after his other entrants Adelaide River, Point King, and Cleveland were withdrawn at the latest cut.
Among the remaining 40 is Parchment Party, who could make history as the first American-trained horse to win the Melbourne Cup.
Meanwhile, Onesmoothoperator has earned a one kilogram penalty following his dominant win in last Friday’s Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup. He will now carry 53kg at Flemington.
“Onesmoothoperator was simply too good for his rivals on Friday night. Despite carrying the equal topweight of 57kg, he blitzed his rivals late to win eased down in stunning fashion. The dynamic nature of his performance rated above his Geelong Cup win last year, when he was penalised 1kg, and so he warrants a further re-handicap,” Racing Victoria’s Head of Handicapping, David Hegan said.
The Brian Ellison-trained raider finished midfield in last year’s Cup and appears in sharper form this time around.
Geelong Cup winner Torranzino has avoided a penalty and will carry just 51kg.
The updated order of entry to the Melbourne Cup can be found here
