One-hundred-and-forty horses remain in contention for the most highly sought-after prize on the Australian Thoroughbred Racing calendar, following this afternoon’s completion and release of 2017 Melbourne Cup nominations.
Reigning champion Almandin has been included in 2017 Melbourne Cup nominations. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Almandin delivered prominent owner Lloyd Williams his fifth win in the race that stops a nation in 2016 and is set to defend his crown on the first Tuesday of November after being included in 2017 Melbourne Cup nominations.
Taking a couple of runs to find form upon resuming last spring, Almandin returned to winning form in the Listed Harry White Classic (2400m) on September 24th, before repeating the performance and result in the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m).
Having experienced a good run in transit, the Monsun gelding locked in a fierce sprint battle with Irish raider Heartbreak City down the famous Flemington straight, but produced a superior staying effort to find the line a head in the clear.
Almandin resumed for a smart second in a 2040m race at The Valley last weekend and is on track for successful defence in the 2017 Melbourne Cup.
Macedon Lodge is set to launch a typically smart attack in the major staying race after including a total of twelve horses in Melbourne Cup nominations.
A total of 31 international horses have been included in 2017 Melbourne Cup nominations, with the likes of Order Of St George, Red Cardinal and Admire Deus all set to target the Spring Carnival feature.
Saddled by leading Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien, Order Of St George has produced a number of impressive staying performances and results, highlighted by wins in the Listed Saval Beg Stakes (2816m) and Group 3 Irish St Leger Trial Stakes (2816m) most notably.
Red Cardinal is prepared by 2014 Melbourne Cup winner Andreas Wohler and has stamped himself as a serious staying contender since transferring to Germany.
Second in the Group 1 Preis Von Europa (2414m) in his first start for Wohler, the Montjeu entire posted consecutive wins in the Group 2 Oleander-Rennen (3200m) and Group 3 Belmont Gold Cup (3200m) in the United States through May and June.
Admire Deus is currently tired on the top line of early 2017 Melbourne Cup betting with Almandin and has been transferred to the care of Darren Weir this time in.
Resuming this year for third in the Group 2 Nikkei Sho (2500m) at Nakayama on March 25th, Admire Deus was last seen running on for fourth in the famed Group 1 Tenno Sho (3200m) on April 30th.
A typically strong crop of locally-trained runners have also been included in 2017 Melbourne Cup nominations, headlined by the likes of Big Duke and Egg Tart, while exciting kiwi horses Gingernuts, Jon Snow and Bonneval are all also in line for starts.
Godolphin is yet to claim a win in the feature race, but the major international racing operation is sure to launch another bold attack in the race with Saeed Bin Suroor, Charlie Appleby and James Cummings all lodging 2017 Melbourne Cup nominations.
2017 Melbourne Cup First Acceptances are due to close on midday, October 10th.
Almandin and Admire Deus currently share $15 favouritism in early 2017 Melbourne Cup betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au.
2017 Melbourne Cup Nominations
| # | Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11x8400x7x | ABBEY MARIE | M | 5 | Michael Kent | 97 |
| 2 | 31214x423x | ADMIRAL JELLO | G | 5 | Kris Lees | – |
| 3 | 39x260x34x | ADMIRE DEUS (JPN) | H | 7 | Darren Weir | – |
| 4 | 46x2171x5x | ALBERT (JPN) | H | 7 | Noriyuki Hori | – |
| 5 | x665111x2x | ALMANDIN (GER) | G | 8 | Robert Hickmott | – |
| 6 | 7x39x12x1x | ALOFT (IRE) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott | – |
| 7 | 2634x5411x | ALWARD (IRE) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | – |
| 8 | 11x4214x8x | AMELIE’S STAR | M | 6 | Darren Weir | – |
| 9 | x0x0D71x0x | AMRALAH (IRE) | H | 8 | Robert Hickmott | 104 |
| 10 | 172233183x | ANA ROYALE | M | 4 | Stuart Webb | 91 |
| 11 | 11x354965x | ANAHEIM | H | 4 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 78 |
| 12 | 771135104x | ANNUS MIRABILIS (IRE) | G | 7 | Stuart Webb | 100 |
| 13 | 12x1240x5x | ANTONIO GIUSEPPE (NZ) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | – |
| 14 | 45x12x323x | APILOBAR (FR) | H | 5 | Markus & Stephanie Nigge | – |
| 15 | 3x9210x71x | ASSIGN (IRE) | G | 7 | Robert Hickmott | 105 |
| 16 | 0x5008641x | AUVRAY (FR) | G | 7 | Richard Freedman | – |
| 17 | 13212x322x | BARSANTI (IRE) | G | 6 | Roger Varian | – |
| 18 | 331x073x0x | BERISHA | G | 6 | Robert Smerdon | 98 |
| 19 | 1121113x5x | BIG DUKE (IRE) | G | 6 | Darren Weir | 104 |
| 20 | x11x330x9x | BONDI BEACH (IRE) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott | – |
| 21 | 1x5P31111x | BONNEVAL (NZ) | M | 4 | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | – |
| 22 | 1516510x3x | BOOM TIME | H | 6 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 103 |
| 23 | 1x65123x8x | BROADSIDE (NZ) | G | 6 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | – |
| 24 | 0x4231245x | CHANCE TO DANCE (IRE) | G | 8 | Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards | – |
| 25 | 22122612x | CHARLES ROAD | G | 4 | Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott | – |
| 26 | x89141355x | CHARLEVOIX | G | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 83 |
| 27 | 121x37301x | CHOCANTE (NZ) | G | 5 | Stephen Marsh | – |
| 28 | 22x232521x | CISMONTANE (NZ) | G | 5 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 83 |
| 29 | 21x5338x1x | COMIN’ THROUGH | H | 4 | Chris Waller | – |
| 30 | 265225223x | COOL CHAP | G | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 93 |
| 31 | x1x1x21x3x | CROCODILE ROCK (IRE) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott | 79 |
| 32 | 131x616x6x | DAL HARRAILD (GB) | G | 5 | William Haggas | – |
| 33 | 23414x0x8x | DARABAD (FR) | G | 5 | Robbie Laing | 82 |
| 34 | x228x8x01x | DEE I CEE (NZ) | G | 6 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | – |
| 35 | x8583x080x | DON DOREMO (NZ) | G | 7 | Robbie Laing | 82 |
| 36 | 7x2357371x | DYLAN MOUTH (IRE) | H | 7 | Marco Botti | – |
| 37 | 431x11111x | EGG TART | M | 4 | Chris Waller | – |
| 38 | 9065227x3x | ETYMOLOGY | G | 5 | James Cummings | – |
| 39 | 00x402611x | EUREKA STREET | G | 4 | Robert Smerdon | 71 |
| 40 | 0184260x5x | FANATIC (NZ) | M | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 92 |
| 41 | 314112132x | FIRENZE | M | 6 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 86 |
| 42 | x533x0x03x | FOUNDATION (IRE) | G | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | – |
| 43 | x830x33x2x | FOUNDRY (IRE) | G | 8 | Robert Hickmott | 95 |
| 44 | 0x46x11x8x | FRANCIS OF ASSISI (IRE) | G | 8 | Charlie Appleby | – |
| 45 | x181x37x0x | GAILO CHOP (FR) | G | 7 | Darren Weir | – |
| 46 | 9x031x270x | GALLANTE (IRE) | G | 7 | Robert Hickmott | 105 |
| 47 | 4121x3811x | GALLIC CHIEFTAIN (FR) | H | 5 | Darren Weir | – |
| 48 | 214x | GAUGUIN (NZ) | G | 4 | John Sargent | – |
| 49 | 1x4011115x | GINGERNUTS (NZ) | G | 4 | Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards | – |
| 50 | 820x076x0x | GREY LION (IRE) | H | 6 | Matt Cumani | 94 |
| 51 | x80x621x0x | GUARDINI (FR) | H | 7 | Darren Weir | 104 |
| 52 | 00x4131x5x | HANS HOLBEIN (GB) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott | – |
| 53 | 92384x386x | HARLEM (GB) | H | 6 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 100 |
| 54 | 2x34340x4x | HARLOW GOLD (NZ) | M | 4 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 93 |
| 55 | 212652x57x | HARPER’S CHOICE | H | 4 | Gerald Ryan | – |
| 56 | 3x1x | HARRISON (GB) | H | 5 | Mick Channon | – |
| 57 | 23x2822x1x | HARTNELL (GB) | G | 7 | James Cummings | – |
| 58 | 41670x910x | HEAVENS ABOVE | M | 6 | Tim Martin | – |
| 59 | 10x8747x4x | HE’S OUR ROKKII (NZ) | G | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 107 |
| 60 | 9x42212x6x | HUMIDOR (NZ) | G | 5 | Darren Weir | – |
| 61 | 136x621x3x | IMPOSING LASS (NZ) | M | 5 | Bjorn Baker | – |
| 62 | 33x5126x6x | INFERENCE | H | 4 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | – |
| 63 | 1x3x45712x | JOHANNES VERMEER (IRE) | H | 5 | Aidan O’Brien | – |
| 64 | 893337311x | JON SNOW (NZ) | H | 4 | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | 108 |
| 65 | x9x173511x | KELLSTORM (IRE) | H | 5 | Darren Weir | – |
| 66 | 38x2133x0x | KHEZERABAD (FR) | G | 6 | Aaron Purcell | 72 |
| 67 | 624x42x32x | KIDMENEVER (IRE) | H | 5 | Charlie Appleby | – |
| 68 | x1164x362x | KILIMANJARO (IRE) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott | 89 |
| 69 | 1x75459x7x | KINEMA (IRE) | G | 7 | Chris Waller | – |
| 70 | x027530x0x | LASQUETI SPIRIT | M | 4 | Lee Curtis | – |
| 71 | 112x8746Px | LIBRAN (IRE) | G | 7 | Chris Waller | – |
| 72 | 841x122x2x | LIFE LESS ORDINARY (IRE) | G | 6 | Chris Waller | – |
| 73 | x16151021x | LIZZIE L’AMOUR (NZ) | M | 5 | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | – |
| 74 | 21155x515x | LORD FANDANGO (GER) | H | 5 | Archie Alexander | – |
| 75 | 9520449x0x | LORD VAN PERCY (GB) | G | 8 | Darren Weir | 89 |
| 76 | 213x00943x | LORESHO (FR) | H | 7 | Darren Weir | 89 |
| 77 | 000x0x770x | MAGICOOL | G | 6 | Tony Romeo | – |
| 78 | x425x0507x | MANAPINE | G | 6 | Nigel Blackiston | 67 |
| 79 | 1232x1521x | MARMELO (GB) | H | 5 | Hughie Morrison | – |
| 80 | 44x306321x | MASTER ZEPHYR (GB) | G | 6 | Darren Weir | 89 |
| 81 | 21x2x30x9x | MAX DYNAMITE (FR) | G | 8 | William Mullins | – |
| 82 | 624x128x1x | MEGABLAST (NZ) | G | 6 | Nigel Tiley | – |
| 83 | 35x2111x0x | MONTOYA’S SECRET | M | 4 | Leon & Troy Corstens | – |
| 84 | 2x2x2x2x1x | NAKEETA (GB) | G | 7 | Iain Jardine | – |
| 85 | 23116x243x | NATURAL SCENERY (GB) | M | 5 | Saeed Bin Suroor | – |
| 86 | 1483x1x | NIGHT’S WATCH (NZ) | G | 4 | Darren Weir | 66 |
| 87 | 24x431431x | ONCIDIUM RULER | G | 6 | Michael Kent | 83 |
| 88 | 1234x2121x | ORDER OF ST GEORGE (IRE) | H | 6 | Aidan O’Brien | – |
| 89 | 2x513x412x | OUR CENTURY (IRE) | G | 7 | Robert Hickmott | 93 |
| 90 | 86x315111x | PACODALI (IRE) | G | 5 | Darren Weir | – |
| 91 | 85x10x7x4x | PENGLAI PAVILION (USA) | G | 8 | Charlie Appleby | – |
| 92 | 379x97860x | PENTATHLON (NZ) | G | 6 | John Wheeler | – |
| 93 | 84x4x8038x | PRINCE CHERI (FR) | H | 9 | David Vandyke | 97 |
| 94 | x2114x906x | PRIZE MONEY (GB) | G | 5 | Saeed Bin Suroor | – |
| 95 | 22x141x40x | QEWY (IRE) | G | 8 | Charlie Appleby | – |
| 96 | 14x4197x8x | RAW IMPULSE (GB) | H | 6 | Darren Weir | 95 |
| 97 | 1132x11x5x | RED CARDINAL (IRE) | G | 6 | Andreas Wohler | – |
| 98 | 5x137x822x | RED GALILEO (GB) | G | 7 | Saeed Bin Suroor | – |
| 99 | 1642x6574x | RED VERDON (USA) | H | 5 | Ed Dunlop | – |
| 100 | 212x062x0x | REGAL MONARCH (GB) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | – |
| 101 | 210x14012x | REKINDLING (GB) | H | 4 | Joseph O’Brien | – |
| 102 | 11x1380x0x | RISQUE (NZ) | M | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 95 |
| 103 | 134124133x | ROCK ON (NZ) | G | 5 | Gary Vile | 88 |
| 104 | 6748x111x | ROMAN SON | G | 4 | Anthony & Edward Cummings | – |
| 105 | 41231x2x2x | SAMOVARE | M | 4 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 77 |
| 106 | x1412x3x5x | SARRASIN (GB) | H | 6 | Chris Waller | – |
| 107 | 0x1212112x | SAYED (USA) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | – |
| 108 | 54282x060x | SEABURGE | H | 4 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 105 |
| 109 | 4x12x3361x | SENSE OF OCCASION | G | 7 | Kris Lees | – |
| 110 | 5336433x7x | SETTLER’S STONE | G | 6 | Troy Blacker | 82 |
| 111 | 5x227x090x | SINGING (FR) | H | 8 | Kris Lees | – |
| 112 | x70312612x | SINGLE GAZE | M | 5 | Nick Olive | 108 |
| 113 | 3114407x5x | SIR ISAAC NEWTON (GB) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott | 106 |
| 114 | 1x | SIXTIES GROOVE (IRE) | G | 5 | Andreas Wohler | – |
| 115 | 1130x22x3x | ST MICHEL (GB) | H | 5 | Sir Mark Prescott | – |
| 116 | 11x212411x | STAMPEDE | H | 5 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | – |
| 117 | 1211x12x9x | STAR EXHIBIT | G | 6 | Darren Weir | – |
| 118 | 405142142x | SUPER HAZE (IRE) | G | 6 | Tony McEvoy | 82 |
| 119 | 1x | SWEET SELECTION (GB) | M | 6 | Hughie Morrison | – |
| 120 | 8x311x | TAIKOMOCHI | G | 4 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | – |
| 121 | 3x37710x2x | TALLY | G | 5 | James Cummings | 105 |
| 122 | 61x00x518x | TAVAGO (NZ) | G | 5 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | – |
| 123 | 9P01712x7x | THOMAS HOBSON (GB) | G | 8 | William Mullins | – |
| 124 | 242x11711x | TIBERIAN (FR) | H | 6 | Alain Couetil | – |
| 125 | 22x0121x6x | TIME TO TEST | G | 7 | Tony McEvoy | – |
| 126 | 23x6905x2x | TOM MELBOURNE (IRE) | G | 7 | Chris Waller | – |
| 127 | 450702097x | TRANSFER ALLOWANCE | G | 8 | Peter Roche | 70 |
| 128 | 11x333233x | TRAVELLING MAN (GB) | G | 5 | Freddy Head | – |
| 129 | 5241x32x1x | UP ’N’ ROLLING (NZ) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | – |
| 130 | 428x32038x | US ARMY RANGER (IRE) | H | 5 | Aidan O’Brien | – |
| 131 | 52482x542x | VENGEUR MASQUE (IRE) | G | 6 | Michael Moroney | 93 |
| 132 | 8601121x5x | VENTURA STORM (IRE) | H | 5 | David & B Hayes & T Dabernig | 106 |
| 133 | 5x5174126x | VOLATILE MIX (NZ) | H | 4 | Darren Weir | – |
| 134 | 11x6248x2x | WALL OF FIRE (IRE) | H | 5 | Hugo Palmer | – |
| 135 | 1513059x | WHEAL LEISURE | M | 4 | Archie Alexander | – |
| 136 | 7255x3642x | WHO SHOT THEBARMAN (NZ) | G | 9 | Chris Waller | – |
| 137 | 10x814244x | WICKLOW BRAVE (GB) | G | 9 | William Mullins | – |
| 138 | 61x2150x7x | WINNING STORY (GB) | G | 5 | Saeed Bin Suroor | – |
| 139 | x21x6D130x | YANKEE ROSE | M | 4 | David Vandyke | 108 |
| 140 | 168x21131x | YOGI (NZ) | G | 5 | Darren Weir | 80 |