A record number of overseas entries (90) have been made for three big Australian prizes, the Melbourne Cup, the Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate.
Dermot Weld, the only European trainer to have won a Melbourne Cup, has entered three for that race and the Caulfield Cup - Hirapour, Media Puzzle and Quality Team.
Godolphin, whose Central Park ran a corker to be second in the 1999 Melbourne Cup, have entered 13 for the famous Flemington two miler on November 7th. They include the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes second Fantastic Light, plus the respective St Leger and Arc de Triomphe winners, Mutafaweq and Sagamix.
Other European entries of note include the Ascot Gold Cup second, third and fourth, Far Cry, Compton Ace and San Sebastian.
The Caulfield Cup (12f), run on October 21st, and won in 1998 by the Lady Herries runner Taufan`s Melody, has attracted 29 overseas entries - up six on 1999.