NOMINATIONS for the A$7.75 million Melbourne Cup were released on Tuesday with 123 horses entered.

The Chris Waller stable has 21 horses nominated, while internationally-trained horses number 19.

“This year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup is shaping up to have strong representation from across the world with horses from Ireland, Japan, France and England looking to compete against Australia and New Zealand’s best stayers.” said VRC Executive General Manager Racing, Leigh Jordon.

Overall, 84 of the horses nominated are bred in the Northern Hemisphere, with 47 of those bred in Ireland. Australian-bred nominations number 20, while New Zealand-breds number 19.

Willie Mullins has three horses nominated including the current equal-favourite Absurde, as well as Vauban and Hipop de Loire. While Joseph O’Brien is a notable absentee, Aidan O’Brien has six horses nominated: Grosvenor Square, Illinois, Jan Brueghel, Point Lonsdale, The Equator and The Euphrates.

Dermot Weld said after the Martin Molony Stakes at Limerick in June that: “The Melbourne Cup is in my thoughts,” for Harbour Wind, so his nomination marks another step.

Other international trainers to hold nominations are Andrew Balding, John and Thady Gosden, Jean-Claude Rouget, Jessica Harrington, Henry de Bromhead, Brian Ellison, Harry Eustace, Naosuke Sugai and Noboru Takagi.

Australian markets have Absurde and the Ciaron Maher-trained British-bred Circle Of Fire as the $11 equal-favourites. The weights for the 3,200 metre Group 1 contest will be released on September 17th.

Melbourne Cup

Overseas acceptors

Absurde (Fr) Willie Mullins

Hipop De Loire (Fr) Willie Mullins

Vauban (Fr) Willie Mullins

Grosvenor Square (Ire) Aidan O’Brien

Illinois (Ire) Aidan O’Brien

Jan Brueghel (Ire) Aidan O’Brien

Point Lonsdale (Ire) Aidan O’Brien

The Equator (Ire) Aidan O’Brien

The Euphrates (GB) Aidan O’Brien

Harbour Wind (Ire) Dermot K Weld

Kinesiology (GB) Jessica Harrington

Magical Zoe (Ire) Henry de Bromhead

Arrest (Ire) John and Thady Gosden

Night Sparkle (Ire) Andrew Balding

Relentless Voyager (GB) Andrew Balding

Onesmoothoperator (USA) Brian Ellison

Sea King (GB) Harry Eustace

Delius (GB) Jean-Claude Rouget

Shonan Bashitto (Jpn) Naosuke Sugai

Warp Speed (Jpn) Noboru Takagi

12 Irish, 5 British, 1 French, 2 Japanese

Stow Storage Memsie Stakes (Group 1)

MELBOURNE’s first Group 1 of the new racing season was the Memsie Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday, with the 1,400 metres expected to be a contest between the multiple Group 1 winners Pride Of Jenni and Mt Brightside.

Characteristically setting the tempo in front with Declan Bates in the saddle, there was no sign of weakness in Pride Of Jenni until the 300 metre mark. Unable to create a gap on her rivals, she was overhauled by Mr Brightside with Pinstriped, who had shadowed him in the run, to his outside.

Second two weeks earlier in the Group 2 Lawrence Stakes, the race fitness told as Pinstriped caused a boilover, defeating the six-time Group 1 winner Mr Brightside, as Gentleman Roy claimed third. Pride Of Jenni finished six lengths from the winner in fifth.

Trained by Enver Jusufovic, it was a maiden Group 1 win for the Street Boss gelding and his trainer.

Die wondering

“It’s a true Group 1 when you’ve got Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside, but of course they were first-up, we were second-up, he pulled up so well first-up and he’s got a great second-up record, so you’re not going to die wondering, this horse has promised, he’s got issues, but he’s just done so well this time in and it’s just fantastic.

“I paid $80,000 for him as a weanling, I can’t afford to buy expensive yearlings; it was the first time I’d purchased a weanling and suggested to the crew to wait five months and you’ve got a $160,000 yearling, so he’s one of the most expensive horses in my stable would you believe.

“Now that he’s won a Group 1, I’ll just take every race as it comes and discuss it with (jockey) Ben (Allen), and we’ll see whether we go to a Makybe (Diva) or a Feehan (Stakes), but it’ll be off to the pub tonight I think.”

THIRD when favourite for the Golden Slipper in March, the Coolmore-owned Justify colt Storm Boy returned to the racetrack for the first time since April to post a comfortable three-length win in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes over 1,100 metres at Rosehill on Saturday.

“He’s such a brilliant colt and there is so much talent there. I’m glad he’s come back and been able to race in that manner and showcase his talents and that natural speed that he’s got,” said Adrian Bott who co-trains the colt with Gai Waterhouse.

“The Golden Rose (September 28th, 1,400 metres) is first and foremost and has always been an important target for him and there are so many options for him off the back of that,” said co-trainer Adrian Bott.

“We would love to get that Group 1 for him as he is a Group 1 colt and if we can tick that box it gives us all the options.”

THE Chris Waller-trained Autumn Glow, a filly by The Autumn Sun, is now two-from-two after a soft win in the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes at Rosehill.

The victory places her in the market for the Golden Rose, though the Flight Stakes for fillies is in the frame as well.

“She is a very very serious horse,” said trainer Chris Waller. “It would be up to Mr Messara and Hermitage to make that decision (to run in the Golden Rose). It was only her second start today and taking on the likes of Storm Boy and the big guns at Group 1 level this early is probably premature.”

At Caulfield, the Zoustar colt Growing Empire won equally as well in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes for the Ciaron Maher stable. Though kept safe in Golden Rose betting, Maher indicated that, like his sire, the Coolmore Stud Stakes on Victoria Derby Day was the prime aim.

“He ended up with a beautiful run,” said Maher. “He’s a very very progressive colt and he’s on a Coolmore path so he’s started the prep well. He’s probably one of our benchmark colts.”

FORMER top jumps jockey Shane Jackson is setting up his own training operation in Warrnambool.

An assistant trainer to Lindsay Smith for the past five years who had the occasional horse in his name, Jackson is branching out and getting his own boxes at the Warrnambool Training Centre.

“It’s very exciting, it’s very daunting,” said Jackson. “There’s been no falling out at all, Lindsey and I are still very close, but I just thought it was about time to build something for my own family and our future. We’ve made the jump and let’s see how it goes.”

Jackson’s biggest training success to date was winning last year’s Listed Warrnambool Cup with Mystery Island and he also worked in close quarters with Symon Wilde’s stable when he was still riding.

“I love Warrnambool, I’ve been here since we moved and I really find we can get the most out of what we have here, between the beach and the track. I’ve got plenty of empty boxes there now, so hopefully, if anyone’s watching and fancies sending a horse down my way, it would be much appreciated!”