36 horses were paid up for at the second acceptance stage of the Melbourne Cup on Monday including Aussie bred contenders Boom Time and Amelie's Star, who are both exempt from ballot while another Aussie bred in Single Gaze is high enough up the order of entry to be assured of a start.
Two of the top 24 in the order of entry –BonnevalandSir Issac Newton– are now out of calculations for the race while international raiders Nakeeta and Wall Of Fire have replaced them in the top 24 in theMelbourne Cup order of entry.
Twelve international raiders are still in contention with only the Willie Mullins-trained Thomas Hobson outside the top 24 horses in Melbourne Cup calculations, sitting 26th in the order of entry.
As expected theJames Cummings-trainedHartnell(3rd) was among the second acceptances at closing time.
Only two horses,Darren Weir's Guardini and theChris Waller-trained Alward, of the 36 still in the Melbourne Cup are yet to pass the first ballot clause.
Victory in Saturday's Group III Lexus Stakes would guarantee a Melbourne Cup start for any horse outside the top 24 in the order of entry whileGuardiniwould move to equal 24th in the order of entry if he was to place in the Lexus Stakes, thus passing the ballot clause.
Click hereto view the Melbourne Cup second acceptances.
Click hereto view the Melbourne Cup order of entry as at October 30.
