Record roll of 3yo Cup hopefuls

THE success of Melbourne Cup winners Cross Counter and Rekindling has led to a record number of northern hemisphere three-year-old horses being nominated for this year’s race.

Cross Counter, the first English-trained horse to win the Cup, lumped only 51kg last year under champion Australian jockey Kerrin McEvoy.

Rekindling carried 51.5kg in 2017 to outgun Johannes Vermeer and give Lloyd and Nick Williams an ownership quinella.

Of the 152 entries for the Melbourne Cup, including 39 internationals, 13 will look to follow in Cross Counter and Rekindling’s hoof-steps as northern hemisphere threeyear-old winners. The Caulfield Cup, which has 143 entries — including 25 internationals — could have its first European three-year-old contest the 2400m race.

Recent Royal Ascot winner South Pacific is among eight young potential raiders.

Under the new benchmark weight system, to be confirmed next month, northern hemispher three-year-olds will be allotted extra weight.

Nick Williams yesterday declared last year’s beaten Melbourne Cup favourite Yucatan, Homesman and Mackinnon Stakes runner-up Latrobe, a northern hemisphere three-year-old last season, among the top picks in his ownership.

“We have nominated a number of horses for the major races. It’s just fingers crossed that we can get one or two of them there in good form,” Williams said.

“Obviously last year Yucatan was a bit of a star, and he seems to be doing everything right at the moment.”

The 2017 Caulfield and Melbourne Cup runner-up Johannes Vermeer — who finished fourth in the Blamey Stakes at Flemington in March, first-up after 68 weeks — could figure in the spring. “He’ll run in the next two or three weeks,” Williams said. “He’s a horse that, long before we had anything to do with him, even as a twoyear-old, had leg issues.

“He’s been a constant battle to keep on his feet and seems to be in good form at the moment, so hopefully we can get him there.”

The Irish-trained Latrobe is likely to prominently figure for the Williams camp, as well as some “horses down in the weights” Macedon Lodge will try and sneak into the Melbourne Cup through the 2500m Bart Cummings at Flemington on October 5.

Racing Victoria general manager Greg Carpenter will release the weights for both Cups on Tuesday week.

“There’s great depth among the entries,” Carpenter said.

“And it will be a challenge to secure a place in both races.

“It’s great to see Cross Counter given his chance to become the first dual international winner of the Melbourne Cup.”

Several Derby winners have nominated for both races, as well as exciting Japanese prospect Mer De Glace, who is a likely Caulfield Cup runner.