A total of 11 stayers from the northern hemisphere remain in contention, including the first American-trained entrant Parchment Party for this year’s Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Bill Mott.
Ireland’s two-time Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Joseph O’Brien has two nominees - topweight Al Riffa and Goodie Two Shoes, potentially the first ever Australian runner for legendary Irish owner J P McManus - while there are also entries from Britain, France, Germany and Japan, each a country that has taken the race before.
Current Lexus Melbourne Cup favourite and Caulfield Cup winner Half Yours headlines the local stayers for father-son duo Tony and Calvin McEvoy as he seeks to become the 13th horse to complete the prestigious Cups double.
He may be joined by leading local star Buckaroo after his stirring second in the Cox Plate, a year after he was second in the Caulfield Cup. The most recent horses to place in both the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate were Verry Elleegant and Makybe Diva, both of whom would also go on to win the Lexus Melbourne Cup.
Buckaroo’s Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller continues to have a strong hand in this year’s race with eight nominations as he seeks a second Lexus Melbourne Cup success.
Also among his entries is Valiant King, who secured his spot after earning a golden ticket via The Lexus Bart Cummings (2520m).
Lexus Melbourne Cup-winning trainers Ciaron Maher (five entries), Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott (Vauban) and Anthony and Sam Freedman (Post Impressionist) are also represented.
New Zealand may also be poised to seek a first victory since 2001 with two Kiwi-trained entrants.
The final field will be announced following Howden Victoria Derby Day on Saturday 1 November.
The full list of third acceptances for the Lexus Melbourne Cup can be found here and updated order of entry here.
