Maher holds 14 Melbourne Cup hopes as field narrows

The number of horses that remain in the hunt for the Melbourne Cup has dropped to 58 following second declarations.

Ciaron Maher has 14 horses still in Melbourne Cup contention which will be run over 3200m at Flemington on November 3.

Included in his numbers are Shockletz and Mr Monaco, winners of the past two ballot exempt races – The Archer and The Bart Cummings, while Middle Earth, placed in last year’s Cup, is also among Maher’s team.

Headlining Chris Waller’s team is Aeliana along with Ohope Wins and last week’s Herbert Power Stakes winner Pinhole.

Saturday’s Caulfield Cup (2400m) sees 19 of the 22 acceptances still among the 58 Melbourne Cup second declarations, including Half Yours, who took out the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup double last year.

There are 13 European stayers who have been paid up for as second declarations, including nine from the stable of two-time Cup winner Joseph O’Brien.

Headlining the O’Brien stable is Definantly, who gained a ‘Golden Ticket’ courtesy of his win in the Prix Kergolay at Deauville in August and Goodie Two Shoes, placed in last year’s Cup behind Half Yours.

There are four ‘Golden Ticket’ races remaining – the Caulfield Cup, the Geelong Cup, the Moonee Valley Gold Cup and the Cox Plate.

Third declarations are taken on October 26 with the final field and barriers on October 31.