Melbourne Cup 2012 First Acceptances – 67 Still in Contention

Sixty-seven stayers have been paid up for at first acceptance stage for the 2012 Melbourne Cup today, and as expected there is a strong international presence in the ‘race that stops a nation’.

Glencadam Gold is one of 67 Melbourne Cup 2012 first acceptors

The entries for Flemington’s famed $6.2 million Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m), running as Flemington Race 7 on Tuesday November 6, were cut from 151 nominations to 67 first acceptances, down on the 79 first Melbourne Cup acceptances taken this time last year.

It is shaping up as another overseas-bred and trained dominated Melbourne Cup result in 2012 with at least the top 10 positions in the Melbourne Cup betting markets taken by non Australian-bred stayers.

The shortest-priced Aussie-bred horse is Pat Carey’s Helenus four-year-old Ethiopia, the Australian Derby winner last seen running sixth to Green Moon in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington last weekend.

Notable Emissions from the 2012 Melbourne Cup First Acceptances Include:

• Lamasery (David Vandkye) – Out for the spring missing the cups (again) after being injured during their fifth place finish in The Metropolitan
• Linton (John Sadler) – Failed to come on when 11^th in the Turnbull
• Sapphire (Dermont K Weld) – Irish mare won’t be making the trip down under for Weld in the Cups
• Zurella (Shaune Ritchie) – Nice NZ mare didn’t impress when 13^th in the Turnbull
• Fat Al (Gai Waterhouse) – Is a champ having won the Epsom Handicap but probably not a genuine stayer, will target other spring majors

2012 Melbourne Cup Betting Favourites Among First Declarations Include:

• Glencadam Gold (Gai Waterhouse) – Secured their spot at the top of the Melbourne Cup odds with big four length win in The Metropolitan at Randwick last Saturday, their fourth win from as many starts down under, they were penalised for that win and their Newcastle Gold Cup win but are still an excellent light weight chance for the Cups
• Mount Athos (Luca Cumani) – Best fancied of the international raiders this Montjeu gelding has won their last three back home in the UK most recently the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes (2670m) in August and they are well experienced at 3200m and above
• Green Moon (Robert Hickmott) – Lloyd Williams-owned stallion ran second in last year’s Caulfield Cup and looked in flying form for a shot at the Cox Plate, and then possibly the Melbourne Cup, when they beat a smart field in the Turnbull Stakes
• Seville (Robert Hickmott) – Williams’ other best chance of securing that elusive Melbourne Cup win, the import rran a good second in the Turnbull last time out and keeps improving as they go up in distance down under
• Galileo’s Choice (Dermot K Weld) – Weld is after his third Melbourne Cup victory having been the first ever overseas trainer to score victory in the classic, Galileo’s Choice was last seen winning a 2414m at Leopardstown and has winning form over 3218m in Ireland
• Brigantin (Andre Fabre) – Smart Cozzene stallion last seen running second to Joshua Tree in the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay (3000m) in France which has produced many Melbourne Cup runners and place-getters in recent years
• Red Cadeaux (Ed Dunlop) – English raider ran a devastatingly close second in Melbourne Cup last year
• Tac De Boistron (Michael Kent) – Imported French galloper hasn’t raced since a Group 2 win over 280m at Longchamp back in July
• Fiorente (Gai Waterhouse) – Another Waterhouse import this one formerly prepared by Sir Michael Stoute, raced in the Group 2 Prix Foy (2400m) a few weeks again in Farnce finishing a credible fourth

Also still in the mix for the 2012 Melbourne Cup title are the past two winners Dunaden (2011) and Americain (2011), the Mark Botti-trained American St Leger winner Jakkalberry, 2010 Melbourne Cup runner-up Maluckyday, last Saturday’s The Bart Cummings Stakes winner Tanby and the Peter Moody-trained stars Manighar and Voila Ici.

The 2012 Melbourne Cup second declarations are due to be released on Monday October 29.

Updated Melbourne Cup odds on the first acceptances are due to be released at bookmaker.com.au shortly so now is the ideal time to sign-up with our preferred sportsbook.

If you remember to use the promo code BONUSBET when you first sign-up with bookmaker.com.au you will also be eligible for their $400 bonus welcome bet offer which you can use on the Melbourne Cup 2012!

2012 Melbourne Cup First Declarations

Flemington Race 7 – 06/11/2012