Oopy Macgillivray might have known for more than three months that The Map was guaranteed a place in this year’s Melbourne Cup, but the Murray Bridge trainer is still coming to terms with it.

It all felt a little bit more real late last week when MacGillivray, who trains in partnership with Dan Clarken, submitted the $1500 Melbourne Cup entry for the six-year-old mare.

“It always gives you a little bit of adrenalin surge, you just feel it and think, ‘it’s getting real now’,” MacGillivray said of entering a horse for a big race.

The Map booked her spot in the November 5 race with her win in the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes, which carries a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption.

The Map’s possible rivals in the $8.4 million Group 1 will be known after Tuesday’s midday nomination deadline.

The daughter of Alpine Eagle shares the $26 line in Melbourne Cup betting, alongside the likes of last year’s winner Without A Fight, dual Derby hero Riff Rocket and winter sensation Berkshire Breeze.

Queensland Derby winner Warmonger ($21) is the only Australasian-bred galloper at a shorter quote in a market headed by Ciaron Maher-trained import Circle Of Fire, last year’s beaten favourite Vauban and Aidan O’Brien’s Grosvenor Square.

The Map resumed with a ninth placing in the Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville on August 24, when beaten 3-3/4 lengths, and she will next be seen in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on September 21.

She will then step up to the 2400m of the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes before rounding out her Melbourne Cup preparations in the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on October 23.

“We buy horses like her thinking that we’ll target our autumn carnival with an Oaks or something like that, that’s the sort of dream you have,” MacGillivray said of the $35,000 Adelaide Magic Millions yearling purchase.

“The Melbourne Cup dream wasn’t really on our radar when we bought her, but she just keeps improving.

“So many friends and family and people that we’ve known over the years, they all seem to be behind us and cheering The Map on.

“It’s a great thrill and great to be a part of.”

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