Emerging English stayer Tactician, owned by the Queen, is one of 22 international entries for the $2.65m Caulfield Cup on Oct 15. The 4YO, one of two entries for trainer Michael Bell, won the Listed Silver Cup (2800m) at York (UK) on July 9. Tactician is next entered for the Ebor Handicap at York on Aug 20, a race that offers the winner a ballot exemption and a guaranteed start in the Caulfield Cup. Headlining the local entries is reigning Caulfield Cup champion Descarado who will be striving to
Emerging English stayer Tactician, owned by the Queen, is one of 22 international entries for the $2.65m Caulfield Cup on Oct 15. The 4YO, one of two entries for trainer Michael Bell, won the Listed Silver Cup (2800m) at York (UK) on July 9. Tactician is next entered for the Ebor Handicap at York on Aug 20, a race that offers the winner a ballot exemption and a guaranteed start in the Caulfield Cup. Headlining the local entries is reigning Caulfield Cup champion Descarado who will be striving to join Rising Fast (1954-55) and Posiedon (1906-07) as the only horses to win successive Cups. Descarado is one of 12 entries for Gai Waterhouse, with Metropolitan Handicap winner Herculian Prince and Brisbane Cup winner Tullamore amongst her other entries.
CAULFIELD CUP NOMS
A total of 236 nominations were received for the Caulfield Cup when entries closed today.
* Americain - Alain de Royer Dupre's 2010 Emirates Melbourne Cup champion is one of three French nominations alongside the Mikel Delzangles-trained pair Dunaden and Zack Hall.
* Dangerous Midge - The Brian Meehan-trained winner of the 2010 USA Breeders Cup Turf (2400m) is one of the highest rated performers amongst 12 entries from the United Kingdom.
* Harris Tweed - There are two horses entered by the name of Harris Tweed. The New Zealand version was runner-up in the 2010 Caulfield Cup for trainers Murray and Bjorn Baker, whilst the UK entrant is a high quality stayer from the stables of William Haggas.
* Mighty High - Leading Hong Kong trainer John Moore has nominated Mighty High, a recent winner of the Group 1 Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin. Mr Medici won the same race en route to finishing sixth in last year's Caulfield Cup.
* Luca Cumani - Premier UK trainer Luca Cumani, a regular visitor to the Spring Racing Carnival, has nominated five horses including 2008 Melbourne Cup runner-up Bauer and Manighar, who finished fifth in last year's Caulfield Cup.
COX PLATE NOMS
A total of 189 nominations have been received for the 2040m Cox Plate, including 13 internationals. Other highlights amongst the nominations are as follows;
* Americain - Alain de Royer Dupre's 2010 Emirates Melbourne Cup champion is one of two French nominations for the Cox Plate alongside the Mikel Delzangles-trained Zack Hall. Both were also nominated for the BMW Caulfield Cup today.
* Whobegotyou - The 2010 Cox Plate placegetter has been nominated for his third tilt at the race after finishing unplaced as favourite in 2009. He is one of five entries, alongside unbeaten import December Draw, for 2008 Cox Plate-winning trainer Mark Kavanagh.
* United Kingdom - The Brian Meehan-trained Dangerous Midge, a winner of 2010 USA Breeders Cup Turf (2400m), is one of three entries from the United Kingdom along with the Luca Cumani-trained pair Never Forget (formerly France) and Sahara Sun (formerly Chile).
* Germany - Two German horses, Lucas Cranach and Illo, have been entered. Lucas Cranach is currently under offer to Australian connections, whilst Illo has recently changed ownership and will join the stables of Bart Cummings.