Cup Numbers Increase After First Declarations
Tuesday, 7 September 2010:  | | Efficient |
The 2007 winner Efficient was a notable omission and also did not feature amongst the acceptors for the $2.5 million Caulfield Cup and $3 million W.S. Cox Plate.
It's the fourth time in five years that the gallant grey has failed to come up for the Melbourne Cup owing to injuries and associated delays in his preparation.
The seven-year-old, who was joint topweight on 58kg for both Cups with his imported stablemate Alandi, was among the 105 Melbourne Cup entries not paid up at today's first deadline.
Overseas withdrawals included as expected the Japanese stayers Jaguar Mail and Meiner Kitz, Godolphin's English St Leger winner Mastery and 2007 Melbourne Cup runner-up Purple Moon.
Locally trained trio Littorio, Shamoline Warrior and Kutchinsky have not accepted owing to injury or illness and Sirmione will be reserved for shorter races over spring.
They have also been withdrawn from the Caulfield Cup on October 16 with injury-plagued Predatory Pricer, 2009 runner Allez Wonder and the evergreen stayer Zipping.
However Zipping stays among the horses declared for the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.
First acceptors for the Melbourne Cup are up by 10 from 141 in 2009 and the Caulfield Cup numbers rise from 100 to 109.
The quality of contenders is exceptionally high with defending Melbourne Cup champion Shocking, Shoot Out, So You Think, Metal Bender, Monaco Consul, Alcopop, Moudre, Linton and Zabrasive heading the local entries for both events.
A strong contingent of international runners remain in contention with representatives from France, UK, UAE, Ireland, Hong Kong, Japan and Macau featuring amongst the first acceptors.
A total of 28 internationals, including Akzar and Imposing who will join the Robert Hickmott stable and Laristan who is bound for the David Hayes team - have paid the first declaration for the Melbourne Cup, up from 18 in each of the past two years.
Godolphin has elected to bypass the Caulfield Cup for the first time in several years but the number of international first acceptors for the world's richest 2400m turf handicap has risen from six to nine.
The internationals entered for both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups are Americain (France), Tokai Trick (Japan), Mr Medici (Hong Kong), Stanstill (UK), the Luca Cumani-trained UK trio of Becqu Adoree, Drunken Sailor and Manighar, Imposing (UK) and Laristan (France).
A number of high profile international entries for the Melbourne Cup, including Rite Of Passage, Profound Beauty, Sans Frontieres, Eastern Aria and Tactic are scheduled to clash in the Group 1 Irish St Leger at the Curragh this weekend.
Macau's pin-up horse Luen Yat Forever remains the only internationally-trained entry in the Cox Plate.
Imposing, who is currently completing his quarantine in the Werribee International Horse Centre, also accepted for the Cox Plate.
The locals among the 89 first acceptors for the Moonee Valley feature includie defending champion So You Think and newly crowned Australian Racehorse of the Year Typhoon Tracy.
Other notable acceptors are Shoot Out, Whobegtoyou, Metal Bender, Heart Of Dreams, Linton, More Joyous and three-year-olds Toorak Toff, Lion Tamer, Altius and Yosei.
First acceptances were also taken today for the $1 million Caulfield Guineas (1600m) and $500,000 Thousand Guineas (1600m).
First acceptors for the Caulfield Guineas are up from 86 to 92 with Blue Diamond winner Star Witness the most notable omission after a minor injury setback last weekend.
He will be reserved for sprint races later in the carnival.
Headlining the acceptors for the Caulfield Guineas on October 9 are Golden Rose winner Toorak Toff, Champagne Stakes winner Skilled, Altius, Kudakalari and Smokin' Joey.
Golden Slipper winner Crystal Lily has been withdrawn from both Guineas, with Curtana the other notable absentee from the list of 100 first acceptors for the Thousand Guineas for the fillies.
Second declarations for the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, Caulfield Guineas and Thousand Guineas close at noon on Tuesday September 21,.
Second declarations for the Melbourne Cup will be taken at noon on Tuesday 5 October.
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