Early entries for the Spring Cups were taken today, Tuesday August 3, with the 2021 Melbourne Cup nominations attracting 174 horses for the 161st edition of the ‘race that stops a nation’.
2020 Melbourne Cup winner Twilight Payment. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
The world’s richest handicap, the Group 1 $7.74 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) takes place at Flemington on Tuesday November 2, 2021 and has drawn 174 nominations, the exact same as in 2020.
Last year there were 30 internationals featuring in the Melbourne Cup nominations, including the subsequent winner Twilight Payment who went on to defeat two fellow raiders – Tiger Moth (2nd) and Prince Of Arran (3rd) – in an all-international Melbourne Cup 2020 trifecta.
Unsurprisingly international numbers are down this spring with 16 holding a collective 28 nominations across the Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup entries this season.
Twilight Payment is again among the 2021 Melbourne Cup nominations, one of four for reigning trainer Joseph O’Brien.
O’Brien celebrated his second ‘Loving Trophy’ last season, while prolific owner Lloyd Williams will be in the hunt for an historic eighth win this year after Twilight Payment gave him a seventh.
Along with Twilight Payment O’Brien’s Melbourne Cup charge this season includes: Master Of Reality who has contested the past two editions of the two-mile classic, USA Belmont Gold Cup champion Baron Samedi and lightly-raced northern hemisphere three-year-old Benaud.
The 2019 runner-up and last year’s third placegetter, the Charlie Fellowes-trained Prince Of Arran for star hoop Jamie Kah, also returns looking to add to his imposing record down under.
The horse has had eight runs on Australian turf with his Caulfield Cup fourth to Verry Elleegant last year his only finish out of the top three.
The other former Melbourne Cup winner chasing another victory in the world’s richest handicap meanwhile is the Danny O’Brien-trained local star Vow And Declare who won in 2019 before a disappointing 18th last year.
Heading the all-in Melbourne Cup odds online through Ladbrokes.com.au is former Queensland stayer, the now Peter Moody-trained Incentivise, incredible 12-length winner of the Group 3 Tatt’s Cup (2400m) in Brisbane over the winter carnival.
That demolition job was his sixth win on the trot and markets suggest he’ll be the stayer to beat in the Victorian spring features upon his highly-anticipated return.
“Today’s release of nominations officially begins the countdown to the 2021 Victorian Spring Racing Carnival, and represents an exciting time for racing fans and punters who will begin poring over the entries and choosing their horses to follow this spring,” Greg Carpenter, Racing Victoria’s (RV) Executive General Manager – Racing, said.
“Can Denis Pagan create more history and train a Melbourne Cup winner? Can Edward or James Cummings join their grandfather Bart as a Cup winner?
“There are so many great questions to be answered.”
Looking to enter the Melbourne Cup history books is former AFL Premiership coach Denis Pagan whose young stayer, Johnny Get Angry, won last year’s Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) in an upset.
The now four-year-old is among both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup nominations this spring and success in the latter would see him become just the 17th horse in history to complete the Victoria Derby – Melbourne Cup double.
Grandson of history’s most famous Melbourne Cup winning trainer, 12-time hero and ‘Cups King’ Bart Cummings, Edward Cummings is looking to join the winners list with his Queensland Oaks winning mare Duais.
Edward’s more famous brother, James Cummings, is also in Melbourne Cup contention with his classy mare Colette while their father Anthony has nominated Nancho for all of the ‘Big 3’ spring features.
Realm Of Flowers meanwhile has secured the only confirmed spot in the 24-horse Melbourne Cup field to date via a win in last year’s Listed The Andrew Ramsden (2800m).
Other notable internationally-trained Melbourne Cup entries include the Andrew Balding-trained Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup third placegetter Spanish Mission from the UK and Martyn Meade’s consistent Group 1 Irish Derby champion Lone Eagle.
Twilight Payment is again among the 2021 Melbourne Cup nominations, one of four for reigning trainer Joseph O’Brien.
The 2021 Melbourne Cup first acceptances are open until 12:00 PM (AEST) on Tuesday September 7, 2021.
Click here for the latest all-in Melbourne Cup odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.
2021 Melbourne Cup Nominations
| Last 10 | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8x6610314x | ACHIEVER | G | 4 | Chris Waller | |
| 2 | 1311x90x7x | AKTAU (GB) | G | 6 | Michael Moroney | 99 |
| 3 | x42732110x | ALAKAHAN (IRE) | G | 6 | Richard & Michael Freedman | |
| 4 | 11x121x41x | AMADE (IRE) | G | 8 | Phillip Stokes | 101 |
| 5 | 593x66538x | ANGEL OF TRUTH | G | 6 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | |
| 6 | 239x31111x | ATISHU (NZ) | M | 4 | Chris Waller | |
| 7 | 04x241441x | ATTORNEY (FR) | G | 7 | Matthew Smith | 102 |
| 8 | 1x3x | AWAY HE GOES (IRE) | G | 6 | Ismail Mohammed | |
| 9 | 5212x6100x | AZALY | G | 4 | Ben & JD Hayes | |
| 10 | 239121345x | BARADE (FR) | G | 7 | Archie Alexander | |
| 11 | 1x1x | BARON SAMEDI (GB) | G | 5 | Joseph O’Brien | |
| 12 | x528434x1x | BARTHOLOMEU DIAS (GB) | G | 7 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 90 |
| 13 | 307114411x | BEAUDEN (NZ) | G | 7 | Graeme Rogerson | |
| 14 | BENAUD (IRE) | G | 4 | Joseph O’Brien | ||
| 15 | 876x00134x | BRANDENBURG (NZ) | G | 5 | John Sargent | |
| 16 | 733x70047x | BUCHAREST | G | 4 | Chris Waller | |
| 17 | x216570x5x | BUCKHURST (IRE) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott | 105 |
| 18 | 751x07422x | CARIF | G | 6 | Peter & Paul Snowden | |
| 19 | 062120421x | CEPHEUS (GB) | H | 5 | Matthew Dunn | |
| 20 | 193x73590x | CHAPADA | G | 6 | Michael Moroney | 102 |
| 21 | 551622x32x | CHARMS STAR (NZ) | M | 4 | Chris Waller | |
| 22 | 31x07x673x | COGNAC (IRE) | G | 5 | Richard & Michael Freedman | |
| 23 | 561x12454x | COLETTE | M | 5 | James Cummings | |
| 24 | 90x0x0558x | CONSTANTINOPLE (IRE) | G | 6 | Aaron Purcell | 89 |
| 25 | 1133x4514x | COOLTH | G | 5 | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | 73 |
| 26 | 52x14x4x4x | CORMORANT (IRE) | G | 5 | Robert Hickmott | |
| 27 | 44x685270x | DADOOZDART (GB) | G | 6 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | |
| 28 | 7400x00x7x | DARK DREAM | G | 7 | Ben & JD Hayes | 98 |
| 29 | 00x524110x | DARVIN (IRE) | G | 6 | Matthew Williams | |
| 30 | 579x11400x | DASHING WILLOUGHBY (GB) | G | 6 | Chris Waller | 103 |
| 31 | 2313616x2x | DAWN PATROL (IRE) | G | 5 | Robert Hickmott | |
| 32 | 2x5111166x | DEFIBRILLATE (NZ) | G | 7 | Patrick Payne | 103 |
| 33 | 311x440x1x | DEGRAVES (IRE) | G | 5 | Robert Hickmott | 86 |
| 34 | 7x1111x6x | DELPHI (IRE) | H | 5 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | |
| 35 | 512212114x | DEVINE GREY | M | 5 | Matthew Smith | |
| 36 | 1143x9x | DICK WHITTINGTON (FR) | G | 5 | Matthew Smith | |
| 37 | x33x205x7x | DJANGO FREEMAN (GER) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott | 95 |
| 38 | x00238375x | DJUKON (GB) | G | 6 | Chris Waller | 87 |
| 39 | x12821121x | DUAIS | M | 4 | Edward Cummings | |
| 40 | 2x41123x8x | DURSTON (GB) | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 82 |
| 41 | 532814x3x | EAGLEMONT (IRE) | G | 5 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 67 |
| 42 | 638x91455x | EAGLES BY DAY (IRE) | H | 6 | David O’Meara | |
| 43 | 1x111x | ELEPHANT (NZ) | G | 5 | Emma-Lee & David Browne | |
| 44 | 1x2031x | EMISSARY (GB) | G | 5 | Michael Moroney | 79 |
| 45 | 71x1546x9x | ENGLISH KING (FR) | H | 5 | Michael Moroney | 92 |
| 46 | 444712327x | EPERDUMENT | M | 7 | Shane Oxlade | |
| 47 | 151132113x | EXPLOSIVE JACK (NZ) | H | 4 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | |
| 48 | 45x411463x | FAVREAU (NZ) | G | 4 | John Sargent | 72 |
| 49 | 34x706923x | FIORZANA | M | 5 | Brett Lazzarini | |
| 50 | xL1401434x | FLASH AAH | G | 6 | Matt Kropp | |
| 51 | 4x75x55x0x | FLOATING ARTIST (GB) | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 80 |
| 52 | 388x | FORGOT YOU (NZ) | C | 3 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 61 |
| 53 | 134x50x | FRANCESCO GUARDI (IRE) | G | 4 | Chris Waller | |
| 54 | x02634100x | FUN FACT | G | 6 | Bjorn Baker | |
| 55 | 1253x6133x | FUTURE SCORE (IRE) | G | 7 | Matt Cumani | 100 |
| 56 | 2x3x | GOLD TRIP (FR) | H | 5 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | |
| 57 | 27x855167x | GOOD IDEA | G | 7 | Phillip Stokes | |
| 58 | 44x221211x | GRAND PROMENADE (GB) | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 99 |
| 59 | x3134x132x | GREAT HOUSE (IRE) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | |
| 60 | GROVE FERRY (IRE) | G | 5 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | ||
| 61 | 6221x5321x | HARMYSIAN (GB) | G | 5 | Clayton Douglas | 78 |
| 62 | 3122x5415x | HARPO MARX (IRE) | G | 6 | Bjorn Baker | 83 |
| 63 | 11x12x547x | HASTA LA WAR | G | 6 | Sue Murphy | |
| 64 | 0x3621521x | HEART OF PUISSANCE | H | 5 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 88 |
| 65 | 650313514x | HEIR TO THE THRONE (NZ) | G | 7 | Andrea Leek | 71 |
| 66 | 8x3954116x | HERMAN HESSE (GB) | G | 5 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 71 |
| 67 | 3211131x4x | HIGH EMOCEAN (NZ) | M | 5 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 90 |
| 68 | 35x512815x | HORRIFYING (NZ) | G | 4 | Mark Kavanagh | |
| 69 | 71549x922x | HORSE FOR HIGHER | M | 6 | Dan O’Sullivan | 66 |
| 70 | 227x78111x | HUNGRY HEART | M | 4 | Chris Waller | |
| 71 | 116324649x | IL AFFARE (NZ) | M | 4 | Chris Waller | 76 |
| 72 | 22x171353x | IL PARADISO (USA) | G | 6 | Chris Waller | |
| 73 | x1x1x4339x | IMPECUNIOUS (NZ) | M | 4 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | |
| 74 | x68111111x | INCENTIVISE | G | 5 | Peter G Moody | |
| 75 | 1x1131112x | INSPIRATIONAL GIRL (NZ) | M | 6 | Danny O’Brien | |
| 76 | 2111x5823x | IRISH FLAME (NZ) | G | 7 | Brett Scott | 100 |
| 77 | 4x09x1111x | IRONCLAD (GB) | G | 6 | Will Clarken | 99 |
| 78 | 0329431x | JOHNNY GET ANGRY (NZ) | G | 4 | Denis Pagan | 104 |
| 79 | 611x330x7x | KILLOURNEY (IRE) | G | 6 | Paul Preusker | 71 |
| 80 | 13x500x70x | KINANE (NZ) | G | 5 | Michael Kent | 80 |
| 81 | x211x2x03x | KING OF LEOGRANCE (FR) | G | 7 | Robert Hickmott | 104 |
| 82 | 35x111733x | KING’S CHARISMA (IRE) | G | 5 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | |
| 83 | 13124x | KINGSHEIR (GB) | G | 5 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 68 |
| 84 | 6143x8511x | KNIGHTS ORDER (IRE) | G | 7 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |
| 85 | 6217x6321x | KUKERACHA (NZ) | G | 4 | Chris Waller | |
| 86 | 6x21x0x10x | LE BAOL (FR) | G | 6 | Lindsey Smith | 86 |
| 87 | 125x57170x | LE DON DE VIE (GB) | G | 6 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | |
| 88 | 1x | LONE EAGLE (IRE) | H | 4 | Martyn Meade | |
| 89 | 1x4x16123x | LONG ARM (IRE) | G | 6 | Peter Gelagotis | |
| 90 | 411x1x | LOVEPLANET (NZ) | G | 4 | Chris Waller | 73 |
| 91 | 1438x3314x | LUNAR FLARE | M | 6 | Grahame Begg | 80 |
| 92 | 7x1101x71x | LUNCIES (GB) | G | 5 | Kris Lees | |
| 93 | 1x | MAKAWEE (IRE) | M | 7 | David O’Meara | |
| 94 | x40x31222x | MANKAYAN (IRE) | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 74 |
| 95 | 2841x0x55x | MARCHONS ENSEMBLE (GB) | G | 5 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 71 |
| 96 | 21x0x25x1x | MASTER OF REALITY (IRE) | G | 7 | Joseph O’Brien | |
| 97 | 04508x663x | MASTER OF WINE (GER) | G | 7 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | |
| 98 | x4135P2x4x | MAYFAIR SPIRIT (IRE) | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 72 |
| 99 | 07x878333x | MIAMI BOUND (NZ) | M | 5 | Danny O’Brien | |
| 100 | 537215280x | MILFORD (NZ) | G | 4 | Michael Moroney | |
| 101 | MILITARY MISSION (IRE) | G | 4 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | ||
| 102 | x9308x826x | MIRAGE DANCER (GB) | H | 8 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | |
| 103 | 374x87244x | MIRANN (FR) | G | 6 | Johnny Murtagh | |
| 104 | x0x861126x | MOHICAN HEIGHTS (IRE) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | 91 |
| 105 | 1x124x030x | MONTABOT (FR) | G | 6 | Matthew Smith | |
| 106 | 4113x6345x | MONTEFILIA | M | 4 | David Payne | |
| 107 | 3x7651716x | MOSH MUSIC | M | 7 | Archie Alexander | 99 |
| 108 | 13x41x211x | MOUNT POPA (IRE) | G | 7 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 103 |
| 109 | 1x1211111x | NANCHO (GER) | G | 7 | Anthony Cummings | 105 |
| 110 | 4612x9x77x | NEVER LISTEN | M | 5 | John Ramsey | 80 |
| 111 | 3719x3502x | NONCONFORMIST | G | 5 | Grahame Begg | 100 |
| 112 | 1601x1112x | NOT USUAL GLORIOUS | G | 5 | Travis Doudle | |
| 113 | 21771x610x | OCEAN BILLY (NZ) | G | 6 | Bill Pomare | |
| 114 | 9x97x | OLYMPIOS (NZ) | G | 5 | Ian Finn | |
| 115 | 1x1x18x | PALE KING (FR) | G | 5 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 72 |
| 116 | 1215x1244x | PERSAN | G | 5 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | |
| 117 | 6524x2x22x | PESTO (GB) | G | 6 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | |
| 118 | 40x22x722x | PONDUS (GB) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott | |
| 119 | 11x1510x | PORT GUILLAUME (FR) | G | 5 | Ben & JD Hayes | 106 |
| 120 | x343x39x5x | PRINCE OF ARRAN (GB) | G | 9 | Charlie Fellowes | |
| 121 | x80571520x | PRINCESS JENNI (NZ) | M | 6 | Shane Stockdale | |
| 122 | 2113x1011x | PURRFECT DEAL | M | 5 | Michael Costa | |
| 123 | x05x75810x | QUICK THINKER | H | 5 | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | |
| 124 | 112x | RANGI TOA (NZ) | C | 3 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |
| 125 | 862x62251x | REALM OF FLOWERS | M | 5 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | |
| 126 | 1x | RED KELLY (FR) | G | 5 | Peter G Moody | |
| 127 | RODRIGO DIAZ (GB) | G | 5 | David Simcock | ||
| 128 | 7x7900x00x | ROSTROPOVICH (IRE) | G | 7 | Ben & JD Hayes | 98 |
| 129 | 9x4071251x | ROYAL CROWN | G | 5 | Michael Kent | 80 |
| 130 | 513883x28x | SAN HUBERTO (IRE) | H | 6 | Matt Cumani | 105 |
| 131 | 53x11241x | SAVE A FOREST (IRE) | M | 4 | Roger Varian | |
| 132 | 61315x4x0x | SCARLET TUFTY (FR) | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 81 |
| 133 | x7x3346x8x | SCHABAU (GER) | G | 7 | Robert Hickmott | 94 |
| 134 | 1218227x0x | SECRET BLAZE | G | 6 | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | 97 |
| 135 | 228x86541x | SELINO (GB) | G | 6 | Chris Waller | |
| 136 | 1122x3321x | SHERAZ (FR) | G | 5 | Chris Waller | |
| 137 | 178x0x574x | SHERWOOD FOREST | G | 5 | Tony Pike | |
| 138 | 325x32324x | SHE’S IDEEL | M | 6 | Bjorn Baker | |
| 139 | 282x00321x | SHUFFLE UP | G | 6 | Richard & Michael Freedman | |
| 140 | x97x06041x | SIERRA SUE (NZ) | M | 5 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | 99 |
| 141 | 366556253x | SIGNORA NERA (NZ) | M | 4 | Chris Waller | |
| 142 | 16x794159x | SIR DRAGONET (IRE) | H | 6 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | |
| 143 | x5x014140x | SKYMAX (GER) | G | 6 | Mark Newnham | |
| 144 | 3x1x | SONNYBOYLISTON (IRE) | G | 5 | Johnny Murtagh | |
| 145 | 621x62309x | SOUND (GER) | H | 9 | Michael Moroney | |
| 146 | 0x6820532x | SOUND OF CANNONS (GB) | G | 5 | John O’Shea | |
| 147 | SOUS LES NUAGES (IRE) | G | 5 | Matt Cumani | ||
| 148 | 360x65417x | SOUTH PACIFIC (GB) | G | 6 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 92 |
| 149 | 6117x2513x | SPANISH MISSION (USA) | H | 6 | Andrew Balding | |
| 150 | 11x250217x | SPIRIT RIDGE (GB) | G | 7 | Mark Newnham | |
| 151 | 7851175x3x | STARCASTER (GB) | G | 7 | Anthony & Sam Freedman | 83 |
| 152 | 2x0x0x151x | STRATUM ALBION (GB) | G | 9 | Willie Mullins | |
| 153 | 122x90736x | SUPERSTORM | G | 5 | Danny O’Brien | |
| 154 | 91x211x | SUREFIRE (GB) | H | 4 | Chris Waller | |
| 155 | 8x4717x34x | SURF DANCER (IRE) | G | 5 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |
| 156 | 648x75312x | SWEET THOMAS (GER) | G | 10 | Matthew Smith | 93 |
| 157 | 8734x2606x | THE CHOSEN ONE (NZ) | H | 6 | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | |
| 158 | 530x31851x | THE GOOD FIGHT (NZ) | G | 7 | Michael Moroney | 98 |
| 159 | 5103x1214x | THINK IT OVER | G | 6 | Kerry Parker | |
| 160 | 216811118x | TIGRE ROYALE (NZ) | G | 6 | Archie Alexander | 80 |
| 161 | x79288611x | TOKEN SPIRIT | G | 4 | Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock | 71 |
| 162 | 2563x1122x | TOORADIN | G | 5 | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace | 76 |
| 163 | 4x1112114x | TRALEE ROSE (NZ) | M | 5 | Symon Wilde | |
| 164 | 21131x339x | TWILIGHT PAYMENT (IRE) | G | 9 | Joseph O’Brien | |
| 165 | 112x840x7x | VERIMLI (FR) | G | 6 | Robert Hickmott | 78 |
| 166 | 4117x3112x | VERRY ELLEEGANT (NZ) | M | 6 | Chris Waller | |
| 167 | 95x9000x8x | VOW AND DECLARE | G | 6 | Danny O’Brien | |
| 168 | x4013x7x2x | WEEKENDER (GB) | G | 8 | Lindsey Smith | |
| 169 | 39x0x4227x | WOLFE (JPN) | G | 7 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | 99 |
| 170 | 1x2410x | YALETOWN | G | 4 | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |
| 171 | x17x780x9x | YOUNG RASCAL (FR) | G | 7 | Richard & Michael Freedman | |
| 172 | 123x75232x | YOUNG WERTHER (NZ) | G | 4 | Danny O’Brien | |
| 173 | 1122x05x | ZEYREK (FR) | G | 5 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | |
| 174 | x112x5x42x | ZIEGFELD (GB) | G | 5 | James Cummings |
Table Credit: Racing Australia.
