The final 24-horse field for the 2021 Lexus Melbourne Cup is taking shape.
With fourth acceptances now confirmed, the order of entry has been whittled away to just 35 horses left in the mix to compete in the $8 million two-mile handicap at Flemington next Tuesday.
A number of prospective runners are now out of the race with a handful of horses improving their standing in the order of entry.
Race favourite Incentivise remains at the top of the order of entry following his Caulfield Cup win and is ballot-exempt alongside Grand Promenade who won the Bart Cummings in early October.
Second favourite Spanish Mission is fifth in order, behind Verry Elleegant and last year’s winner Twilight Payment.
Derby king Explosive Jack, reigning Victoria Derby winner Johnny Get Angry and intentional raider Away He Goes are all guaranteed a run.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Sir Lucan, who was 37th in the order of entry last week, is now right in contention in 24th position and has come in from $41 to $19 with some bookmakers.
Geelong Cup winner Tralee Rose is 17th in the order and expected to run, while Forgot You will need to win this Saturday’s Derby and receive a weight penalty as a result to pass the ballot as a three-year-old.
The likes of Mosh Music, Great House, Floating Artist, Hasta La War and Amade are narrowly out of the top 24 at this point in time.
This Saturday’s Lexus Hotham Stakes at headquarters is the final ballot-exempt race with the winner to book a spot in Tuesday’s final field.
See the 2021 Melbourne Cup order of entry HERE.