Caulfield Cup nomination numbers show a decline

A total of 124 horses have been nominated for the Melbourne Racing Club's flagship event, the Caulfield Cup.

The prestigious Group 1 handicap, now elevated to $6 million in prize money, will be contested over 2400 metres on October 17.

Out of the 124 nominations, 32 are international contenders, representing trainers from Ireland, England, and France.

This year's international entry count surpasses the 12 nominations received by the MRC last year. However, the overall number of entries is down from 147 in the previous year, and significantly lower than the 173 entries recorded in 2024, which included 36 overseas nominations.

The closing date for nominations this year was two weeks later than it was in the prior year.

Dual Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Joseph O'Brien has the strongest contingent among the international trainers, with 15 out of the 20 Irish entries. His father, Aidan, has one nomination, while Willie Mullins has secured three, and Emmet Mullins has one.

Joseph O'Brien's entries for the Caulfield Cup include Goodie Two Shoes, the runner-up to Half Yours in last year's Melbourne Cup.

Trainer Alessandro Botti has again entered Presage Nocturne, who finished fourth in last year's edition. Andrew Balding has put forward three nominations for the Caulfield Cup, including Furthur, who finished 11th in the Melbourne Cup last year.

The only international Group 1 winner among the nominations is Tennessee Stud, trained by Joseph O'Brien. This colt was victorious in the Criterium De Saint Cloud, a race for two-year-olds, in October 2024.

Pleasingly, the top six finishers from last year's Caulfield Cup have been nominated again, including the winner, Half Yours. This mare is one of three entries from the stable of Tony and Calvin McEvoy, though it is anticipated she will instead be aimed at the Cox Plate.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable has submitted five entries, featuring Vauban and Sir Delius. These two, along with Half Yours, are expected to be prominent in the Caulfield Cup weights when they are unveiled next month.

Chris Waller has, as expected, lodged the largest number of entries with 18, including Aeliana, Autumn Boy, Buckaroo, Ohope Wins, and River Of Stars. Ciaron Maher follows with 15 entries, such as Point Of Law, Light Infantry Man, Middle Earth, Juja Kibo, and King Of The Sea.

Bjorn Baker is aiming to emulate his father Murray, who achieved the Australian Derby – Caulfield Cup double with Mongolian Khan in 2015.

Green Spaces, the winner of the Derby earlier in the year, is entered for the Caulfield Cup alongside So You Are and Thebudgiesmugla.

Tanya Fullarton, the Chief Executive Officer of the MRC, stated that the calibre and depth of the nominations reflect the significance of this milestone running of the race.

"The 150th Caulfield Cup is a significant milestone for the Melbourne Racing Club and Australian racing, and we are delighted with the quality and depth of horses nominated for this historic running," Fullarton said.

"With 24 Group 1 winners among the nominations, including reigning Caulfield and Melbourne Cups champion Half Yours and an exciting group of emerging four-year-olds, there is enormous quality already building towards October.

"We have made this year's Caulfield Cup the richest in the race's history at $6 million, and the strong increase in international nominations adds another dimension to what is shaping as an outstanding 150th running of one of Australia's great races."

Compare the latest racing odds at online bookmakers.