Prizes
First - $4,000,000 and trophies valued at $200,000, $20,000, $15,000, $7,500 & $7,500 to owner, rider, trainer, strapper and breeder respectively
Second - $1,000,000
Third - $500,000
Fourth - $300,000
Fifth - $200,000
Sixth - $150,000
Seventh - $150,000
Eighth - $150,000
Ninth - $150,000
Tenth - $150,000
Eleventh - $150,000
Twelfth - $150,000

For horses earning prizemoney for being placed 1st – 12th inclusive, respective prizemonies payable shall be distributed as follows:
Owner - 85%; Trainer - 10%; Rider - 5%


Entries
Entries close at 12 NOON on THURSDAY 29 AUGUST 2019. Fee - $1800.
(Late Entries: Any horse not previously entered may be nominated before 12 NOON on THURSDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2019. Fee - $5,500.)


Handicaps
Handicaps will be declared not later than TUESDAY 10 SEPTEMBER 2018.

Benchmark Weights:
3YO C&G 50.0kg; 3YO Filly 48.5kg
4YO E&G 58.0kg; 4YO Mare 56.5kg
5YO+ E&G 59.5kg 5YO+ Mare 58.0kg

Change to benchmark weights this year:
NH 3YO C&G 56.5kg; NH 3YO Filly 55.0kg


Minimum Handicap Weight:
3YO 49.0kg
4YO&Up 50.0kg.

There is no maximum weight for this race. Minimum top weight of 58kg at the time of weights being released. There is no minimum top weight after acceptances.

No allowances for apprentices.


Weight Penalties
The Handicapper can determine that, after declaration of weights, a subsequent winner of an internationally recognised Listed, Group or Graded flat race may carry additional weight. (It's only applicable for handicapped races >= 1600m, or non-handicaps >= 2300m).


Declarations of Acceptance
There is now a third declaration ahead of final declarations. It now costs an additional $1,000 all-up, in comparison to last year.

First Declaration: TUESDAY 1 OCTOBER (Fee: $2,000)
Second Declaration: TUESDAY 15 OCTOBER (Fee: $3,000)
Third Declaration: MONDAY 28 OCTOBER (Fee: $4,000

Final Declaration: SATURDAY 3 NOVEMBER (Fee: $49,500)
Any horse for which a declaration is not received is removed from the race.


Rider Notification
By 7.00 PM, SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER


Ballot Exemptions
- 2019 Andrew Ramsden
- 2019 VRC Bart Cummings
- 2019 VRC Hotham Handicap (Lexus Stakes)
- 2019 MVRC Cox Plate
- 2019 MRC Caulfield Cup


Qualifying Performances

A) since 1 February 2018 inclusive, won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in an internationally recognised Group or Graded flat race run over 2300 metres or further;
OR won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in the:

Queensland Derby (2018 - Dark Dream, Heavenly Thought, Mahamedeis; 2019 - TBH 8th June),
Queensland Oaks (2018 - Youngstar, Another Dollar, Sheezdashing; 2019 - TBH 1st June), or

Brisbane Cup (2018 - Sedanzer, Anton En Avant, Kiwia; 2109 - TBH 8th June) OR

B) since 1 February 2018 inclusive, was placed 4th or 5th in an internationally recognised Group 1 or Grade 1 flat race run over 2300 metres or further in which horses older than 3 years old could run, OR

C) since 1 February 2018 inclusive, won an internationally recognised Listed flat race run over 2300 metres or further, OR

D) since 1 February 2018 inclusive, won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in the York Ebor (UK; 2018 - Muntahaa, Weekender, Sea The Lion; 2019 - TBH 24th August) or Champions & Chater Cup (HK; 2018 - Pakistan Star, Exultant, Gold Mount; 2019 - Exultant, Rise High, Dark Dream), OR

E) since 1 February 2018 inclusive, won the Northumberland Plate (UK; 2018 - Withhold; 2019 - TBH 29th June), Cesarewitch (UK; 2018 - Low Sun; 2019 - TBH 12th October), or Queen Mother Memorial Cup (HK; 2018 - Exultant; 2019 - Mulanchi), OR

F) was placed 6th, 7th or 8th in the 2019 MRC Caulfield Cup (20th October), OR

G) was placed 2nd or 3rd in the 2019 MVRC Cox Plate (26th October), OR

H) won the 2019 VRC TAB Turnbull Stakes (5th October), OR

I) won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in the 2017 Emirates Melbourne Cup (Rekindling, Johannes Vermeer, Max Dynamite), OR

J) won the 2017 Caulfield Cup (Boom Time)


Ballot order will be - asides from those runners who are exempt - in descending weight figure. Those of equal weight will be ordered by aggregate prizemoney received in Qualifying Races since 1 February 2018 inclusive.


Progressive order of entry lists will be available on a regular basis from Friday 13 September 2019.

The Queensland Oaks are on tomorrow. Last year's first two placegetters - Another Dollar and Youngstar - both nominated for the 2018 Melbourne Cup, with the latter making the final field and finishing in 6th position. The winner of the Oaks will score $300,000: which was enough to be 31st in the initial Order of Entry list last year (Youngstar also came 3rd in the Queensland Derby - another qualifying race - which bumped her eligible prizemoney up enough so that she was in 28th). Youngstar subsequently earned $120,000 for a 7th placing in the Caulfield Cup to be #22 on the big day.

While of course dependent on overseas entrants, the Oaks winner will be in a very good position to make the Melbourne Cup final field. Northern hemisphere 3 years olds in the Cup have also collectively been penalised 1kg this year, so perhaps that will result in fewer entries making their way here.

The race favourite is PRINCESS JENNI, who has a 4kg advantage on the rest of the field per the official handicap ratings. She won the Australasian Oaks at Morphettville earlier this month over 2000m on a soft track. She also has the same sire as Youngstar: High Chaparral. Her broodmare sire is Zabeel, which is a mix that has had some pretty good results. Per the Nicking Stats for mares by Zabeel (NZ) when bred to High Chaparral (IRE), progeny have nearly 5 times the average earning index. It looks like she'll have no problem getting the Cup distance; to the extent that I was worried she may be too dour. Following her Australasian Oaks win though, a stable rep said: "Every time since her maiden win, she's always been sharp, always had a serious turn of foot and to overcome a bunch of problems in the run to sprint like that when the gap came was impressive." So if Princess Jenni can back up and win tomorrow she's a good chance of making the Cup field....and finishing 5th-10th. (No mare has finished better than 5th the past 11 runnings).



Overseas this weekend, one could cast their gaze to the Group 2 Grand Prix De Chantilly or the Group 1 Coronation Cup.

The latter, set to jump just after midnight tonight, is likely to be of more interest, with the following starters:
Communique
Cypress Creek
Defoe
Kew Gardens
Marmelo
Morando
Old Persian
Salouen
Lah Ti Dar

Kew Gardens was number 1 in the Melbourne Cup order of entry last year but elected not to come. He's favourite here at $3.25, with Old Persian ($4) and Lah Ti Dar ($4.50) close behind. Last year's Melbourne Cup second placegetter Marmelo is at $19.



Finche (4th) came through the Grand Prix De Chantilly last year. It's on June 2nd and it may be easier to find the runners in a day or so.

Changes announced today increased this year's Melbourne Cup prizepool to $8mil from $7.3mil:

First - $4,000,000 $4,400,000 and trophies valued at $200,000, $20,000, $15,000, $7,500 & $7,500 to owner, rider, trainer, strapper and breeder respectively
Second - $1,000,000 $1,100,000
Third - $500,000 $550,000
Fourth - $300,000 $350,000
Fifth - $200,000 $230,000
Sixth - $150,000 $160,000
Seventh - $150,000 $160,000
Eighth - $150,000 $160,000
Ninth - $150,000 $160,000
Tenth - $150,000 $160,000
Eleventh - $150,000 $160,000
Twelfth - $150,000 $160,000

For horses earning prizemoney for being placed 1st – 12th inclusive, respective prizemonies payable shall be distributed as follows:
Owner - 85%; Trainer - 10%; Rider - 5%

Here are the weekend's results from Melbourne Cup nominees:

EXEMPLAR (IRE)	2nd of 7	CAUL	31-Aug-19	2400m Good4 HCP $135,000
ALFARRIS (FR)	3rd of 7	CAUL	31-Aug-19	2400m Good4 HCP $135,000
JINDA (NZ)	6th of 7	CAUL	31-Aug-19	2400m Good4 HCP $135,000
SUPER TITUS (GB)	1st of 12	CAUL	31-Aug-19	1700m Good3 HEATHERLIE HCP Listed $140,500
CAPTAIN COOK (GB)	2nd of 12	CAUL	31-Aug-19	1700m Good3 HEATHERLIE HCP Listed $140,500
ETYMOLOGY	3rd of 12	CAUL	31-Aug-19	1700m Good3 HEATHERLIE HCP Listed $140,500
STEEL PRINCE (IRE)	4th of 12	CAUL	31-Aug-19	1700m Good3 HEATHERLIE HCP Listed $140,500
VALAC (IRE)	6th of 12	CAUL	31-Aug-19	1700m Good3 HEATHERLIE HCP Listed $140,500
LORD FANDANGO (GER)	9th of 12	CAUL	31-Aug-19	1700m Good3 HEATHERLIE HCP Listed $140,500
AMBITIOUS (JPN)	10th of 12	CAUL	31-Aug-19	1700m Good3 HEATHERLIE HCP Listed $140,500
SELF SENSE	11th of 12	CAUL	31-Aug-19	1700m Good3 HEATHERLIE HCP Listed $140,500
SO SI BON	2nd of 13	CAUL	31-Aug-19	1400m Good3 MEMSIE Group 1 $1,002,000
HARTNELL (GB)	4th of 13	CAUL	31-Aug-19	1400m Good3 MEMSIE Group 1 $1,002,000
OOHOOD	7th of 13	CAUL	31-Aug-19	1400m Good3 MEMSIE Group 1 $1,002,000
HUMIDOR (NZ)	10th of 13	CAUL	31-Aug-19	1400m Good3 MEMSIE Group 1 $1,002,000
MATERIAL MAN	13th of 13	CAUL	31-Aug-19	1400m Good3 MEMSIE Group 1 $1,002,000
QAFILA	2nd of 16	CAUL	31-Aug-19	1400m Good3 HCP $125,000
NIGHT'S WATCH (NZ)	5th of 16	CAUL	31-Aug-19	1400m Good3 HCP $125,000
SULLY (NZ)	9th of 16	CAUL	31-Aug-19	1400m Good3 HCP $125,000
HANG MAN (IRE)	10th of 16	CAUL	31-Aug-19	1400m Good3 HCP $125,000
GUNDOWN	13th of 16	CAUL	31-Aug-19	1400m Good3 HCP $125,000
STIVERS (ARG)	5th of 6	CHES	31-Aug-19	2896m Good CHESTER STKS Listed $65,734
LOOKS LIKE ELVIS	1st of 10	E FM	31-Aug-19	1815m Good3 CL6-SW $75,000
HEART OF GRACE (JPN)	14th of 15	RHIL	31-Aug-19	2000m Heavy9 BM78 $125,000
CARZOFF (FR)	3rd of 10	RHIL	31-Aug-19	1900m Heavy9 PREMIERCUP Group 3 $161,000
SWEET THOMAS (GER)	6th of 10	RHIL	31-Aug-19	1900m Heavy9 PREMIERCUP Group 3 $161,000
WOLFE (JPN)	8th of 10	RHIL	31-Aug-19	1900m Heavy9 PREMIERCUP Group 3 $161,000
GREY LION (IRE)	9th of 10	RHIL	31-Aug-19	1900m Heavy9 PREMIERCUP Group 3 $161,000
MAWAANY MACHINE (IRE)	10th of 10	RHIL	31-Aug-19	1900m Heavy9 PREMIERCUP Group 3 $161,000
LADY CUVEE (NZ)	5th of 9	RHIL	31-Aug-19	1500m Heavy9 F&M BM78 $125,000
VERNANME (NZ)	2nd of 9	RUAK	31-Aug-19	1400m Soft RATING 82 $28,596

Here are the horses that trialled on Tuesday (various tracks):

WREN'S DAY (USA)

RE EDIT

BONDEIGER

DAL HARRAILD (GB)

MR QUICKIE

MUNTAHAA (IRE)

ROSTROPOVICH (IRE)

SOUND (GER)

VOW AND DECLARE

WALL OF FIRE (IRE)

BIG DUKE (IRE)

FAIRLIGHT (IRE)

GOATHLAND (IRE)

RED CARDINAL (IRE)

SAUNTER BOY (FR)

ALIFEROUS

ANGEL OF HEAVEN

GRAND BOUQUET (NZ)