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| Staff Writer |
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The race that stops a nation is beginning to take shape, with 72 horses remaining in contention for the 2024 Gr.1 Melbourne Cup following first declarations. Notably absent from the list is last year's winner Without A Fight, trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, who has not raced since his triumph and was not paid up to defend his crown.
Chris Waller's charge Via Sistina now assumes the mantle of topweight, carrying 56kg. The mare is set to contest Saturday's Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington, a key lead-up race that has produced six of the last eight locally trained Cup winners.
Among the 72 remaining entries are six international raiders, with two already touching down on Australian soil. Brian Ellison's Onesmoothoperator and Sea King, trained by Harry Eustace – brother of former Ciaron Maher training partner David Eustace – have made the journey to stake their claim.
The global flavour of the Melbourne Cup has been a defining feature in recent years, with international winners including Rekindling (2017), Cross Counter (2018), and Verry Elleegant (2021) etching their names into the race's storied history.
Saturday's Gr.3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington offers a golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup, with the winner securing a coveted ballot exemption. Two more opportunities for automatic qualification remain after this weekend – the Gr.1 Caulfield Cup on October 19 and the Gr.1 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley the following week.
Victoria Racing Club Executive General Manager Racing Leigh Jordon expressed satisfaction with the first acceptances, stating: "There is a strong group of 72 local and international contenders hoping to achieve the ultimate success in this year's Melbourne Cup. 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 field will continue to take shape in the coming weeks, with the next round of declarations closing on October 15, followed by third acceptances on October 28. The final field of 24 runners will be unveiled on Victoria Derby Day, November 2, at 4:30 pm.
As the anticipation builds towards the US$5.3 million (converted from AU$8 million) showpiece on November 5, racing enthusiasts around the globe will be eagerly following the form lines and preparations of the remaining contenders. The Melbourne Cup's rich history includes legendary winners such as Makybe Diva, who claimed an unprecedented hat-trick from 2003-2005, and the incomparable Phar Lap, whose 1930 victory remains etched in Australian sporting folklore.
With the defending champion out of the picture, the 2024 Melbourne Cup is shaping up to be a wide-open affair, promising another thrilling chapter in the race's illustrious 164-year history.