One of the more successful trainers in the Melbourne Cup in recent times has been the Irish wizard Dermot Weld.

Weld is the only European trainer to have won the Melbourne Cup, having succeeded with Vintage Crop in 1993 and with Media Puzzle in 2002.

This year, his hand looks as strong as ever.

Ascot Gold Cup winner Rite of Passage was allotted 57kg for the Melbourne Cup, while his stablemate, 2008 fifth placegetter Profound Beauty was allotted 54kg.

This means that both will get a start, and it is believed that both will enter quarantine after they run in Saturday week’s Group 1 Irish St Leger (2800m) at The Curragh.

Newmarket trainer Luca Cumani has only had runners in the last four Melbourne Cups, but of his five runners, he has had two placegetters – Purple Moon in 2007 and Bauer in 2008.

This year, he has two confirmed visitors.

Improving handicapper Drunken Sailor showed a great turn of foot to win the Listed March Stakes on the line last Saturday night, while the Australian-owned Manighar ran 2nd in the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay the week before.

Both will have one lead up run in Australia, with one to run in the Caulfield Cup and one to run in the Geelong Cup.

Meanwhile, 2008 runner up Bauer has his first run in almost two years tonight at Salisbury.

A good effort may see him on the plane to Melbourne.

The lightly raced Sans Frontieres is coming to Australia, trainer Jeremy Noseda has confirmed.

Speaking to Jim McGrath from Britain’s Telegraph, Noseda said he thought that Sans Frontieres was the right type for the Melbourne Cup.

“I think he has the perfect profile from what I know about the race. I’ve watched videos of the last nine runnings of the Cup,” Noseda said.

France will be represented in the Cup this year with the Australian-owned Americain to run in the race.

Americain, trained by Alain de Royer Dupre, defeated Manighar in the Prix Kergorlay, confirming a trip down under.

The Japanese will be returning to Melbourne after four years in the wilderness.

While their top drawcards, Jaguar Mail and Meiner Kitz, won’t be coming to Melbourne, old warrior Tokai Trick will fly the flag for the Land of the Rising Sun.

Hong Kong is also likely to be represented for the first time since 2002, with classy stayer Mr Medici about to enter quarantine.

While his main target is the Caulfield Cup, a Melbourne Cup tilt hasn’t been ruled out.

As reported earlier today, Godolphin are to confirm their team in the next few days. However, it is likely to feature Campanologist, Cavalryman, Holberg or Once More Dubai. Click here to read more.

It is also possible that other races in the next two weeks may reveal new Melbourne Cup candidates.

Written by Andrew Hawkins

Speaking to Just Horse Racing yesterday, Godolphin’s racing manager Simon Crisford said that they will spend the next few days examining the weights before coming to a decision.

“It all depends what the likely cut-off is at the weights to secure a run,” he said.

Crisford confirmed that last year’s English St Leger winner Mastery and the Mahmood al Zarooni-trained Claremont are highly unlikely to come to Australia.

Mastery was the equal top weighted Godolphin horse on 57.5kg, along with Cavalryman.

Cavalryman, third in last year’s Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe behind Sea the Stars, is believed to be heading to the Arc once again.

However, he would be guaranteed a run in Melbourne.

Other Godolphin horses who would more than likely make the final field based on weights include Group 1 winner Campanologist (56kg), Holberg (53.5kg) and possibly Once More Dubai (51.5kg).

First declarations are taken at noon next Tuesday, after which more will be known about Godolphin’s intentions.

Godolphin has finished 2nd in the Melbourne Cup three times – with Central Park in 1999, Give the Slip in 2001 and Crime Scene in 2009.

Beekeeper also finished 3rd for the stable in the 2002 Melbourne Cup, behind Media Puzzle.

Written by Andrew Hawkins

Kutchinsky, trained by Tony Noonan at Mornington, was targeting the Caulfield Cup after his impressive second in the Queensland Derby behind the Bart Cummings-trained Dariana.

However, a virus means that any crack at the Caulfield Cup or Melbourne Cup would have to be saved for next year.

The Mark Kavanagh-trained Shamoline Warrior was favourite for last year’s Victoria Derby but was scratched on the morning of the race.

He returned to racing with a 13th in the Liston Stakes, but a minor injury since then has meant that he will be in a spelling paddock when the Cups are run.

Other spring casualties so far include the classy Predatory Pricer, who suffered an infection in a hock, and Group 1 winner Littorio.

Written by Andrew Hawkins

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(GROUP 1).

No Allowances for apprentices.

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Of $6000000 and $175000 trophies. 1st $3600000 and trophies of $150000 to owner $10000 to trainer $10000 to jockey $5000 to strapper, 2nd $900000, 3rd $450000, 4th $250000, 5th $175000, 6th $125000, 7th $125000, 8th $125000, 9th $125000, 10th $125000.

(GROUP 1).

No Allowances for apprentices.

At 12pm (AEST), nominations will close for the 150th Emirates Melbourne Cup, worth $6 million, the $2.5m BMW Caulfield Cup, the $3m Tatts Cox Plate, the $1m The Age Caulfield Guineas and the $500 000 Schweppes Thousand Guineas.

There will be unprecedented interest in the nominations, with record numbers expected to nominate for the historic running of the Melbourne Cup.

Last year, 230 horses were nominated for the Melbourne Cup, with 39 international entries.

This was a significant drop on 2008, when 262 horses were nominated, 57 from overseas.

Just Horse Racing will be first with the nominations this afternoon, as we attempt to analyse the international nominations, the surprise entrants, and of course, any notable absentees.

We will also try to pick out the early favourites, ahead of the official release of antepost markets on Thursday.

Bookmark Just Horse Racing now to ensure you are kept up to date with all the Spring Carnival news, views and information.

Last year, Cummings won the Caulfield Cup with the ill-fated Viewed and the Cox Plate with three year old So You Think.

He also won the Toorak Handicap (Allez Wonder), VRC Oaks (Faint Perfume), Australian Guineas (Rock Classic), Vinery Stud Stakes (Faint Perfume) and Queensland Derby (Dariana), taking his Group 1 tally to seven.

As always, however, Cummings is looking forward to a big spring with large nominations for the major spring races.

In a sneak peek ahead of tomorrow’s nominations, the stable has informed Just Horse Racing that they hold twelve nominations for the Melbourne Cup and twelve nominations for the Cox Plate.

His bid for a 13th Melbourne Cup will be headlined by current favourite, VRC Oaks winner Faint Perfume.

However, his “back-ups” are definitely no slouches.

They include Cox Plate winner So You Think, Australian Cup winner Sirmione, Queensland Derby winners Empires Choice and Dariana, Australian Cup placegetter Moatize and Manion Cup winner Precedence.

Rounding out his nominations are improving stayers Brightnight, Landlord and Star Ripper, and enigmatic gallopers Joe Blow and Zabdued.

His Cox Plate team also looks very strong, with last year’s winner So You Think to be aimed at a title defence.

Group 1 winners Allez Wonder, Dariana, Faint Perfume, Rock Classic and Sirmione are also entered, along with the Group 1 placed Latin News and the stakes-placed Landlord.

Interestingly, Cummings has entered four three-year-olds for the race, led by Fernhill Handicap winner Kudakulari.

Big Storm, Good View and Skorost are his other entrants.

It is a team which any trainer would relish, and a Cummings victory in either race will be well received by all.

Written by Andrew Hawkins

The William Knight trained entire started at 8-1, and defeated 33-1 shot Electrolyser.

2007 Melbourne Cup runner up Purple Moon was third.

The Goodwood Cup, one of Europe’s premier two mile contests, has been won in recent times by the likes of Persian Punch, who finished second in the Melbourne Cup in 1998 and 2001, and Double Trigger, who started one of the shortest priced favourites in 1995 but failed to flatter behind Doriemus.

Last year, second placegetter Mourilyan subsequently finished third in the Melbourne Cup.

The trainer of Illustrious Blue said immediately after the race that Melbourne was now firmly on the agenda.

“The Melbourne Cup is a race we should think about, after Doncaster [Cup] or York [Ebor Handicap],” added Knight.

He was a Glorious Goodwood winner last year, defeating Warringah in the Glorious Stakes.

Crime Scene finished last, and subsequently beat all but Shocking in the Melbourne Cup.

The race was marred by a severe injury to favourite Age of Aquarius as he led the field four furlongs from home.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien said the vets had done a good job, but that he was unlikely to race again.

Also a notable failure was the John Dunlop-trained Tactic, who finished near last, throwing Melbourne Cup plans into disarray.

Written by Andrew Hawkins