Lindsay Park trainers Ben and JD Hayes are yet to commit to a start in a spring feature for Mr Brightside after first declarations closed for Melbourne’s three biggest races of the carnival.
Mr Brightside, winner of the Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley last Saturday, remains in both the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 15 and the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley a week later.
A total of 81 horses are still in contention for the Caulfield Cup whilst there are 69 gallopers remaining in the Cox Plate.
For the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 1, there are 97 still in contention for the ‘race that stops a nation’.
No internationally trained runners are among first declarations for the Caulfield Cup or Cox Plate, although El Bodegon, a placegetter in the Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes at York still hold an entry for both races and will transfer into Chris Waller’s care once he completes his two weeks quarantine after arriving in Australia on September 10.
There are 10 horses still in the hunt for the Melbourne Cup after Tuesday’s round of declarations with current favourite Deauville Legend heading the list, providing he receives provisional veterinary approval to travel to Australia.
Deauville Legend along with Loft and Without A Fight, who have already been granted travel approval, are due in Australia on October 11.
As well as El Bodegon, Cox Plate hopeful My Oberon, joining Annabel Neasham, Melbourne Cup contender Rodrigo Diaz (David Simcock) and Night Endeavor, heading to the stable of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, who holds entries for all three majors, also entered quarantine facilities overnight and were joined at Newmarket (UK) by Artorius, who is returning to Australia following his European campaign.
Weights for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup will be released on September 13.
As well as the three feature races of the Spring Racing Carnival, first acceptances also closed today for the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) and the Thousand Guineas (1600m), which will both be run at Caulfield next month, drawing 130 and 113 first acceptors respectively.