The countdown to an historic Spring Racing Carnival has continued today with the closure of nominations for Australia’s premier staying races, the $5.15 million Stella Artois Caulfield Cup (2400m) and the $8 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m).

Total entries for both races are up on 2019 with the 143rd Caulfield Cup, to be run at Caulfield on 17 October, attracting 177 nominations (up from 143); while the 160th Melbourne Cup, to be conducted at Flemington on 3 November, has received 174 entries (up from 152).

New Zealand trained gallopers entered for the Melbourne Cup in this unusual year include Glory Days for Bill Thurlow, Sir Charles Road for Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott and Quick Thinker and The Chosen One for Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.

There are 25 New Zealand-bred horses entered in this year’s Melbourne Cup, including early favourite Surprise Baby, a son of Shocking who was purchased on Gavelhouse as an unraced three-year-old for just $5,500.

The New Zealand Bred entries in the Melbourne Cup are: Etah James, Feel The Rush, Glory Days, High Emocean, Kinane, Look Sharpish, Miami Bound, Miss Sentimental (formerly Sentimental Miss), Oceanex, Out Of The Park, Platinum Invador, Princess Jenni, Rondinella, Savvy Lad, Sierra Sue, Sin To Win, Surprise Baby, Tavirun, The Chosen One, Toffee Tongue, Verry Elleegant, Vin de Dance, Zacada, Zamosa and Zebrowski.