There are still six international entries competing for the Lexus Melbourne Cup (G1). This is after the first stage of forfeits for Australia’s Spring Carnival. This is an important detail for horse racing betting enthusiasts looking for information to bet on the Melbourne Cup this season. Spanish Mission, trained by Andrew Balding, will line up against Twilight Payment.
Spanish Mission lost narrowly to Stradivarius in the Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup (G2) last month. On the other hand, Twilight Payment is last year’s winner and is trained by Joseph O’Brien, who also has Master of Reality contending.
Other names from the overseas line-up competing in the 8 million AUD race include Away He Goes, the runner-up at the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup (G1) and Sonnyboyliston, the Sky Bet Ebor winner. Rodrigo Diaz will also grace the tournament.
Strict Entry Requirements
International nominations for the Melbourne Cup were cut by half thanks to strict entry requirements. Moreover, these requirements have led to notable absences such as Charlie Appleby, Aidan O’Brien and Saeed bin Suroor. These three have, in the past two runnings, entered 20 horses between them.
Additionally, the concerns about stricter veterinary checks and travel restrictions have also radically hit entries for the Caulfield Cup (G1). In this regard, Spanish Mission and Rodrigo Diaz, partly owned by the Australian Bloodstock, are the only international representatives for the 5 million AUD race in October.
Last year, 12 overseas runners remained in contention for the Group 1 handicap. Moreover, Spanish Mission and Rodrigo Diaz could still be restrained in quarantine in mid-October. If that is the case, international raiders may be missing in the race for the first time since 2004.
For example, for the pair to run in the Caulfield Cup on October 16th, they would have to enter quarantine by September 9th to arrive in Australia on September 25th. However, the two runners are expected to arrive on October 12th, three weeks before the Melbourne Cup kicks off on November 2nd.
During last year’s Melbourne Cup, international runners took the first three places. In the race, Twilight Payment emerged the winner ahead of Tiger Moth and Prince of Arran, who has since retired.
Reports suggest that The Melbourne Cup has attracted 124 first acceptors. This number means this year’s edition has attracted 30 more than last year at the same stage. Additionally, this higher number is despite the fact that acceptances for all the spring majors were closed three weeks earlier this year.
