A guaranteed start in the Melbourne Cup is up for grabs for the 25 horses entered in The Bart Cummings at Flemington.
Saturday’s 2500m-race offers connections of the winner a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 5.
Early favourite for Saturday’s race after nominations closed on Monday is Surprise Baby who narrowly missed securing a place in the Cup when touched out by Steel Prince in the Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington in May.
Surprise Baby won the Adelaide Cup at Morphettville in March and is rated one of the leading local Cup hopes at $26.
Godolphin’s Avilius earned a start in last year’s Cup after winning The Bart Cummings but finished 22nd behind Cross Counter after striking interference when The Cliffsofmoher broke down.
Leading stables have thrown their weight behind the Bart Cummings with multiple numbers.
Lindsay Park has four runners entered, including Muntahaa, ninth in last year’s Cup, along with Alfarris, Neufbosc and Ventura Storm.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable has also nominated four horses – Azuro, Big Blue, Dal Harraild and Wall Of Fire.
Chris Waller has entered Finche, fourth in last year’s Cup but likely to run in the Turnbull Stakes, Haripour and Sydney Cup winner Shraooh who was also successful over 2800m at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day last year.