Second declarations closed today (Tuesday) for the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate. Both races have more entries remaining than last year, with the Caulfield Cup having 78 left, including 11 internationals, while the Cox Plate has 67, with five international entries.
Japanese raiders Admire Rakti and Bande, along with last year’s runner-up – the Marco Botti-trained Dandino - are some of the big name internationals, while Gai Waterhouse has The Offer, who is now an $18 chance for the Caulfield Cup and an $11 favourite for the Melbourne Cup.
Kris Lees Lucia Valentina, the new favourite at $10 for the Caulfield Cup has been declared, as too has ATC Oaks winnerRising Romance, Spillway, UK star Side Glance and dual Melbourne Cup runner-up, Red Cadeaux.
The star declarers for the Cox Plate are the Aiden O’Brien-trained Adelaide, John Moore’s Dan Excel, last year’s Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner, super-popular The Cleaner, the in-form Dissident, a powerful team from Chris Waller headed by Sacred Falls, Foreteller and Royal Descent, and emerging three-year-olds Almalad, Chivalryand Zebulon.