2016 Melbourne Cup - 10 Internationals Assured Of Starts

There are 41 horses remaining in the 2016 Melbourne Cup after a number of withdrawals ahead of the declaration of second acceptances on Monday when the numbers may shrink significantly.

At this point of time there are 10 overseas-trained stayers inside the top 25 horses that remain on the order of the entry - Big Orange, Curren Mirotic, Wicklow Brave, Bondi Beach, Scottish, Heartbreak City, Beautiful Romance, Secret Number and Qewy.

Oceanographer, second to Qewy in the Geelong Cup, would be 31st on the order after current withdrawals.

Other stayers with overseas origins inside the current top 24 are Almandin, Our Ivanhowe, Hartnell,Exopheric, Grand Marshal, Gallante, Almoonqith, Sir John Hawkwood, Excess Knowledge and Assign.

The only Australian-bred stayers in contention are Jameka, Tally, Real Love and Howard Be They Name.

The remaining NZ-bred contenders in the current top 30 are Who Shot Thebarman, Pentathlon, Antonio Giuseppe and Rose Of Virginia.

The horses confirmed as non-runners include a trio trained by Robert Hickmott for Lloyd Williams.

Hickmott withdrew G1 winner The United States, Aloft and Foundry last Friday, leaving him with Sydney Cup winner Gallante, Bart Cummings winner Almandin and Herbert Power Stakes winner Assign as his three remaining Cup hopes.

Lloyd Williams reported that Aloft will be spelled while The United States and Foundry have other carnival objectives.

Injuries have ended the careers of classic winning Cup entries Set Square and Tarzino

The Ciaron Maher stable reported that 2014 VRC Oaks winner Set Square had suffered a stress fracture with the trainer advising connections that she should be retired.

Maher has Caulfield Cup winner Jameka on top of the Melbourne Cup order of entry and hopes Pemberley can make the field from his current position outside the top 30.

Last season’s Victoria Derby and Rosehill Guineas winner Tarzino has also been retired after scans confirmed the extent of the lameness that forced his scratching from the Caulfield Cup. A stud career now beckons for the 4YO.

Last season’s NZ Oaks winner Fanatic was also ruled out of the Cup last week due to an infection from a spider bite.

Chris Waller has reduced his Melbourne Cup numbers, confirming that Preferment and Sacred Master will not be paid up as second acceptors.

Preferment will target the Emirates Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday week while the Newcastle Cup winner Sacred Master is to be spelled.

Waller still has the 2015 Sydney Cup winner Grand Marshal and Who Shot TheBarman assured of berths in the Cup field after their Moonee Valley Cup quinella but has Antonio Giuseppe, second in the G1 ATC Metropolitan, well down the entry order and needing to gain ballot exemption in the Lexus at Flemington on Saturday.

The Darren Weir entries Zanteca and Tosen Stardom were other notified withdrawals in the past week due to setbacks.

Weir, who won last year’s Melbourne Cup with the now sidelined Prince Of Penzance, still has Real Love, Howard Be Thy Name, Manndawi and Master Zephyr among the remaining 42 entries.

A decision on a Melbourne Cup start for Real Love will be made after the mare’s run in next Saturday’s Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington following her Caulfield Cup fifth.

ATC Metropolitan winner Sir John Hawkwood was confirmed as a Cup second acceptor on Friday despite suggestions he would be retired after finishing tenth in the Caulfield Cup.

Second acceptances for the $6 million race will be taken at 10am on Monday.