Puzzle and Vinnie head Weld's Cup squad
A total of 291 entries have been made for the ‘race that stops a nation’, including last year’s winner, the David Hall-trained Makybe Diva.
Victory in the Melbourne Cup has long been an ambition of Sheikh Mohammed and his Godolphin outfit have a strong team of nine, led by Gold Cup hero Papineau.
The others are Duke Of Venice, Delsarte, Fantastic Love, Fight Your Corner, Mamool, New South Wales, Razkalla and Songlark.
Other notable British entries include Marcus Tregoning’s High Accolade, Luca Cumani’s Alkaased, Bandari and Darasim from Mark Johnston’s yard, the Mick Channon-trained Misternando, Jamie Poulton’s aptly-named and progressive Crocodile Dundee, and Sir Michael Stoute’s Maraahel and Distinction.
The last-named, winner of the Silver Trophy at York on his latest start, runs in the colours of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing.
American trainer Kenny McPeek has made an entry for King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes runner-up Hard Buck.
One more foreign raider who could strike fear into the locals is the Lady Herries-trained Wunderwood, who is entered in the Group One Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup over 12 furlongs as well as the main event.
Lady Herries remains the only overseas trainer to have saddled the winner of the Caulfield Cup, when Taufan’s Melody recorded a famous success in the 1998 renewal.
Makybe Diva is favourite to land back-to-back runnings of the Melbourne Cup with Cashmans, who make the mare their 10-1 market leader, followed at 12-1 by Media Puzzle, who is due to reappear at the Curragh at the weekend.
Rakti and Refuse To Bend, meanwhile, both feature among the 185 entries for the Group One Carlton Draught Cox Plate over 10 furlongs at Moonee Valley on October 23.
Emirates Melbourne Cup, Cashmans bet: 10-1 Makybe Diva, 12-1 Media Puzzle, 14-1 Wild Iris, 16-1 Hugs Dancer, 20-1 Vinnie Roe, Zagalia, Honor Babe, Special Harmony, Darasim, Braeloch, Royal Secret, 25-1 Distinction, 28-1 Elvstroem, 33-1 Papineau, 40-1 County Tyrone, 50-1 bar.
