253 horses have been entered for the 2010 Melbourne Cup.(credit:
doublebug)
253 horses have been entered for the 2010 Melbourne Cup, including 45 overseas raiders who will be looking to grab the spotlight as Flemington racecourse prepares for the 150th running of the famous race.
Recent Goodwood Cup winner Illustrious Blue has received an entry for the “race that stops a nation,” along with fellow Glorious Goodwood winners Eastern Aria (Mark Johnston) and Summer Stakes superstar Martyr (Richard Hannon).
Godolphin and Saeed Bin Suroor have a typically strong hand to play in the race and have entered nine horses, with Cavalryman, Mastery, Darley Sun, Holberg and Campanologist all eyeing a trip to Australia, along with Mahmood Al Zarooni’s Claremont.
Two-time Melbourne Cup winner Dermot Weld is eyeing the race with Majestic Concorde, Natural High, Profound Beauty and recent Ascot Gold Cup hero Rite Of Passage, while Luca Cumani could send any one of Manighar, Drunken Sailor and Purple Moon over to Flemington.
The two mile showpiece has also attracted the interest of the likes of John Dunlop, John Oxx, Sir Mark Prescott and Mark Johnston who have all entered their staying stable superstars.