A bumper lineup of 152 hopefuls have put their name forward for this year’s 2019 Melbourne Cup as nominations closed on Thursday for the race that stops a nation.

With the Spring Racing Carnival starting to heat up, bookmakers have already updated their All-In market, with Ladbrokes.com.au listing Cross Counter as the favourite at $15.00 in Melbourne Cup betting.

Similar to last year, the official Melbourne Cup 2019 nominations have drawn 39 internationally trained horses, down on last year’s record-breaking number of 50.

Godolphin raider Cross Counter looks likely to Australia to defend his Melbourne Cup crown in the Spring. Photo Credit: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Of the notables, last year’s Cup winner Cross Counter looks set to defend his crown, while 2018 second and third place getters Marmelo and Prince of Arran also feature in the entries.

The Josh Gosden trained Muntahaa could also return for a second crack after running ninth last year. Likewise, the Hayes stable has its sights set on Irish import Rostropovich, who ran fifth in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate and the Melbourne Cup.

Internationals have won the last two editions of the Melbourne Cup, and although last year’s familiar faces make up a large portion of the nominations, plenty of eyes will also be on British raider Mustajeer throughout the Spring.

The seven-year-old, who is set to be trained by Kris Lees, won the $1.7 million Ebor Handicap at York last week in impressive fashion. Chasing him home were Prince of Arran, Raymond Tusk, Desert Skyline and Red Galileo, all of which have been nominated for the first Tuesday in November.

With all that said, there’s certainly no knock on this year’s home-grown talent. Queen of the Turf and Doomben Cup winner Kenedna makes up one of seven nominations for trainer Ciaron Maher, while local Irish import Steel Prince earned a guaranteed start in the race after claiming The Andrew Ramsden back in May.

Not surprisingly, Godolphin has a host of hopefuls looking to earn a place, with none more promising than prized six-year-old Avilius. This year’s Tanvet and Tancred Stakes winner failed to figure anywhere close to the placings in last year’s Cup but has since improved enormously under James Cummings.

Trainer Chris Waller has never won a Melbourne Cup, but his best chance might come in the form of Kings Will Dream, who ran home nicely in last week’s Winx Stakes for fifth.

Late nominations for the Melbourne Cup 2019 will close on Tuesday, September 3, followed by weights on September 10, first acceptances on October 8, second acceptance on October 28, and finally, the final field on November 2.