Just one month out from the first Tuesday in November, the Victoria Racing Club has announced that 72 horses remain in contention for the 2024 A$8,56 million Lexus Gr1 Melbourne Cup.
A total of 66 local and 6 internationals horses remain in the running after first acceptances were taken on Tuesday 1 October for the 164th running of Australia’s greatest race.
The full list of first declarations for the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup can be found by clicking here.
The announcement comes days after the arrival of the first shipment of internationals including Onesmoothoperator for Brian Ellison and Sea King for Harry Eustace, trainer and brother to Lexus Melbourne Cup-winning trainer David Eustace.
Gai Waterhouse AO and Adrian Bott still have five chances in the Lexus Melbourne Cup including import Eliyass, who remains unbeaten since arriving in Australia and will race in this weekend’s feature race, the Gr1 A$750,000 TAB Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.
This Saturday’s TAB Turnbull Stakes Day at Flemington acts as a springboard for the big three Melbourne majors including the Lexus Melbourne Cup.
The race day has traditionally been a strong preview to the Melbourne Cup Carnival with six of the last eight locally trained Lexus Melbourne Cup winners competing on this race day in the past.
Point King for Sam and Anthony Freedman secured his spot in the race that stops a nation® after winning the Lexus Archer Stakes (2500m) on Crown Makybe Diva Stakes Day.
New Zealand trainers feature strongly in the first acceptances and include Auckland Cup winner Mahrajaan for Cambridge trainers Shaun Ritchie and Colm Murray and reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year, Sharp ‘N’ Smart for Graeme and Deborah Rogerson.
Further opportunities for horses and connections to receive ballot exemption at Flemington include the Gr3 Lexus Bart Cummings (2500m) on Saturday. Outside of Flemington, the Gr1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Gr1 Cox Plate (2040m) offer ballot exemption.
VRC Executive General Manager Racing Leigh Jordon said the first acceptances were strong.
“There is a strong group of 72 local and international contenders hoping to achieve the ultimate success in this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup,” Jordon said.
“This weekend’s race day will be a great form reference for those horses who are racing towards the first Tuesday in November with the day a proven path for trainers and connections.”
The 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival begins with Penfolds Victoria Derby Day on Saturday 2 November, followed by Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 5 November, Crown Oaks Day on Thursday 7 November and TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday 9 November.
Click here for more information and to purchase tickets.
All the action can be seen live and free across the Nine Network, the official broadcast partner and new home of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Key Milestones Dates for 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup
Entry & Acceptance Stages
- Second Declarations
12h00 Tuesday 15 October
- Third Declarations
10h00 Monday 28 October
- Final/Fourth Declarations
16h30 Saturday 2 November
