Weld leads Cup entries

A total of 291 nominations have been made for the Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 2.

They include 51 international entries, with Irish trainer Dermot Weld having six possibles as he seeks a third success in the valuable two-mile feature.

Media Puzzle and Vinnie Roe, first and fourth respectively in the 2002 renewal, head his squad.

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.

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 and Sir Michael Stoute’s Maraahel.

American trainer Kenny McPeek has made an entry for King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes runner-up Hard Buck.