Melbourne Cup has 32 runners left

Cox Plate runner-up Hartnell heads a strong team from Godolphin left in the Melbourne Cup at the latest declaration stage.

Trained by John O’Shea, Hartnell could be joined by stablemate Tally in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 1 with another five horses from the northern hemisphere arm of Sheikh Mohammed’s global operation still in contention.

There were 32 horses left when second acceptances were taken on Monday with Saturday’s Lexus Stakes, in which Tally is entered, the last chance to earn a guaranteed start.

Caulfield Cup runner-up Scottish and Geelong Cup first and third, Qewy and Oceanographer, remain in the entries for English Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby while the Saeed bin Suroor stable has Secret Number and Beautiful Romance.

Hartnell, who finished eight lengths second to Winx in Saturday’s Cox Plate (2000m), is the $4.60 favourite in the TAB’s latest Cup market ahead of Caulfield Cup winner Jameka at $6.

● Meanwhile Craig Williams will ride Kiwi horse Highlad in the Victoria Derby, replacing Damien Oliver who has lost his bid to have a reckless riding suspension reduced. Oliver had five rides booked at Saturday’s Derby meeting at Flemington pending the result of his appeal on Tuesday.

Australian jockey Mark Zahra has been confirmed to ride Highlad’s stablemate Saracino in the Group I Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.

Hong Kong based jockey Zac Purton will Derby favourite Sacred Elixir for Kiwi trainer Tony Pike on Saturday replacing Damian Lane.