Lexus last hope for host of challengers

NINE Melbourne Cup contenders are poised to chase a Lexus Stakes victory in lastditch attempts to seal a Melbourne Cup berth as the internationals threaten to dominate.

A record 12 northern hemisphere visitors could make up half of next week’s Cup field depending on the results of tomorrow’s Bendigo Cup and Saturday’s Lexus at Flemington.

While three of Saturday’s Lexus entrants – Bondi Beach (17th in order), Big Duke (19) and Gallante (20) – can’t be displaced from the Melbourne Cup, any of a further nine Cup aspirants could still gatecrash the field.

With just 36 horses left in contention after yesterday’s second acceptances, Harlem (27), Aloft (28), Foundry (29), Vengeur Masque (30), Pentathlon (31) and Cismontane and Kellstorm (equal 33rd) can make the cut with Lexus success.

And Guardini and Alward could pass the first ballot clause and leapfrog highranked rivals with victory in the 2500m Group 3 race.

When second acceptances were taken for the $6 million Melbourne Cup, a third of the 36 survivors were based at the Werribee quarantine station.

If the visiting dozen makes the final field, the existing record of 11 – set in 2011 and matched in 2015 – will fall.

Last year’s winner Almandin, a German-bred import, Caulfield Cup winner Boom Time and Cox Plate runnerup Humidor are among the locals who will attempt to stave off the invaders.

Hartnell, third in last year’s Cup, is also among the remaining Australian contenders and will carry top weight of 57.5kg if trainer James Cummings proceeds to the Cup.

If so, he will be ridden by Damian Lane, while Blake Shinn retains the ride on Humidor.

Of the 12 internationals, 11 are already ranked inside the top 24 although there is the possibility Wall Of Fire, at No.24, could be squeezed out.

Godolphin’s Chris Connett warned veteran Qewy (No.22) won’t take his place in the Cup unless he posts a dominant Bendigo Cup win tomorrow.

Final acceptances for the Melbourne Cup will be taken at Flemington at 3.30pm (Qld time) on Saturday ahead of the barrier draw.

Picture: AAP IMAGE Johannes Vermeer takes things easy at Werribee yesterday as pressure mounts on other international horses trying to qualify for the Cup.