The Melbourne Cup is three weeks away and after second declarations closed on Tuesday there are 55 horses still in contention for Australia’s great race.

Headlining the list of second declarations is the Aidan O’Brien-trained Jan Bruegel who arrived in Melbourne on Saturday evening and is currently undergoing quarantine at Werribee ahead of the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 5.

Jan Brueghel was a last start winner of the English St Leger and will become the first UK classic winner to run in the Melbourne Cup in the same season while also aiming to become the first galloper to continue an unbeaten winning streak by taking out the race since 1883.

Champion jockey Ryan Moore has been booked to ride Jan Brueghel in the Melbourne Cup.

Leading Australian trainer Chris Waller still has 13 horses in the hunt for Melbourne Cup glory including topweight Via Sistina and import Kinesiology who, like Jan Brueghel, is undergoing quarantine at Werribee.

Just Fine, The Map and Point King, all winners of ballot exempt races in recent months, remain in contention while 18 of the 21 acceptors in the Caulfield Cup are also aiming for a start on the first Tuesday in November.

Victoria Racing Club Executive General Manager Racing Leigh Jordon said the second declarations were another important milestone on the road to this year’s Melbourne Cup.

“Today marks three weeks from the running of the 2024 Melbourne Cup with 55 horses still in the running for their chance to be a part of history,” Jordon said.

“The Caulfield Cup this weekend will provide a preview on where the domestic competitors are at during their campaign with horses looking to repeat the incredible feats of last year’s champion Without A Fight.

“The final field is starting to become clearer with some of the world’s best jockeys locking in their rides including Ryan Moore, Kerrin Mcevoy, Jamie Kah and William Buick.”

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