2009 Melbourne Cup Nominations – 230 Plus 1

Nominations for the 2009 Melbourne Cup closed on Tuesday 4 August, while late nominations closed on Tuesday 11 August. At close off on 4 August there were 230 nominations, including 39 foreign trained horses. The numbers are down on last year when there were 297 nominations including a record 57 foreign trained horses.

There was only one late nomination, bringing the total to 231. The late nomination was seven-year-old New Zealand stayer Sculptor who hasn’t raced since the 2007 Melbourne Cup won by Efficient. In 2007 Sculptor finished ninth in the field of 21 and is a very interesting addition to the nominations.

The reduction in nominations, both domestic and international, is being blamed on the global financial crisis, despite an increase in prizemoney of $5.65 million. Since the 2007 outbreak of equine influenza in Australia there have been changes to our quarantine regulations, making it more difficult and costly to bring horses to Australia from many overseas countries.

Many Australian trainers have nominated large numbers from their stables in the hope of getting one or more runners into the Cup. David Hayes has 14 nominations, Bart Cummings has 11 nominations, including 2008 Melbourne Cup winner Viewed, and Lee Freedman has 10 nominations. Many of those horses are yet to return from a winter spell, and some have no experience in staying races.

At this stage the nominations include many horses that would have to show major improvements if they are to earn a cup spot, but at least we know the pool that the final 24 will be drawn from. The handicappers are currently allocating weights to all nominations and these weights will be announced on 2 September. The final field will not be known until 3 days before the race.

Jo Jackson

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