Order of Entry, final field, horses, weights, Via Sistina out, Flemington, when are final declarations, barrier draw, Jan Brueghel scratched, what happened

Cox Plate champion Via Sistina will bypass Melbourne Cup in a major shake-up to betting markets after it had been installed as clear favourite.

Trainer Chris Waller has revealed the mighty mare will instead be saved for the Champions Stakes (2000m) on the final day of the Flemington carnival.

In making the announcement on Wednesday, Waller said the decision was made in conjunction with owner Yulong Investments.

Talk of Via Sistina lining up in “the race that stops the nation” had taken on a life of its own following her record breaking romp in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) last Saturday.

Such was the dominance of the performance, Via Sistina had firmed into a $4.50 Melbourne Cup favourite, with many believing her distinct class edge would be enough to see her through the gruelling two-mile journey successfully.

It means 33 horses remain in the $8.5 million race following third declarations on Monday morning.

Five of those have not passed the first ballot clause, meaning they will need a minor miracle to make the final field of 24 given 29 horses above them have paid up.

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On Saturday afternoon, fourth declarations are accepted with connections having to foot a final fee of $49,500 to keep their horse in the field.

Two horses Just Fine and The Map are all assured a start having won ballot exempt races (Via Sistina – Cox Plate, Just Fine – The Bart Cummings, The Map – Andrew Ramsden Stakes).

Following the completion of this weekend’s Derby Day meeting at Flemington, the Melbourne Cup final field will be confirmed and the barrier draw undertaken.

— via Adam Dobbin, Punters.com.au

UNBEATEN BOOM HORSE SENSATIONALLY SCRATCHED

Unbeaten import Jan Brueghel has been scratched from next week’s Melbourne Cup after failing a vet inspection.

At the time of his shock withdrawal, Jan Brueghel was a $7.50 chance with bookies, only behind Buckaroo ($5), Geelong Cup winner Onesmoothoperator ($5), Cox Plate winner Via Sistina ($5.50) and import Vauban ($6).

Racing Victoria vets ran their eye over the horse on Tuesday morning at the Werribee quarantine centre before coming to their decision.

That call shocked connections.

“He doesn’t pass the veterinary inspection to run in the Melbourne Cup… the decision was from Racing Victoria… “We’re very disappointed,” Coolmore Stud’s Tom Magnier said on RSN.

“He went through all the protocols in Ireland before departing to come down here. The lads have been very happy with the horse, he’s been bouncing out there in quarantine (at Werribee).

“But the vets have come up with the decision that has been made that he doesn’t pass the veterinary inspection to run in the Melbourne Cup.”

The Aidan O’Brien-trained four-year-old, who arrived in Australia three weeks ago, has won all four career starts.

IMPLICATIONS OF MAJOR CALENDAR CHANGE

There has been a major change to the calendar this year in that there is no Lexus Archer Stakes on the Derby Day schedule.

In years past, horses could have one final throw at the stumps in the Lexus Archer. If they won, they’d be exempt from the Cup ballot.

In 2024 and going forward, the Lexus Archer is held in September.

This Wednesday’s Bendigo Cup is the final chance for a horse outside of the top 24 in the Order of Entry to earn a weight penalty and move up.

Three horses outside the top 30 (Sea King, Whisky on The Hill and Le Don De Vie) will contest the Bendigo Cup, all likely needing to win or a top two finish to earn a weight penalty substantial enough to move up the Order of Entry.

MELBOURNE CUP ORDER OF ENTRY

Ballot Exempt horses

1 = Via Sistina (IRE) 56kg Chris Waller (SCRATCHED)

1 = Just Fine (IRE) 53kg Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott

1 = The Map 50kg Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray

Passed Ballot clause on October 28

4. Jan Brueghel (IRE) 54kg Aidan O’Brien (SCRATCHED)

5. Vauban (FR) 55.5kg Willie Mullins

6. Circle Of Fire (GB) 54.5kg Ciaron Maher

7. Buckaroo (GB) 54.5kg Chris Waller

8. Warp Speed (JPN) 54.5kg Noboru Takagi

9. Zardozi 51.5kg James Cummings

10. Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) 53.5kg Graeme & Deborah Rogerson

11. Kovalica (NZ) 53.5kg Chris Waller

12. Land Legend (FR) 53kg Chris Waller

13. Absurde (FR) 52.5kg Willie Mullins

14. Athabascan (FR) 52kg John O’Shea & Tom Charlton

15. Mahrajaan (USA) 52kg Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray

16. Knight’s Choice 51.5kg John Symons & Sheila Laxon

17. Okita Soushi (IRE) 51kg Ciaron Maher

18. Onesmoothoperator (USA) 51kg Brian Ellison

19. Muramasa 51kg Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young

20. Valiant King (GB) 50.5kg Chris Waller

21. Interpretation (IRE) 50kg Ciaron Maher

22. Fancy Man (IRE) 50kg Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald

23. Mostly Cloudy (IRE) 50kg Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young

24. Positivity (NZ) 50kg Andrew Forsman

25. Mission Of Love 50kg John Symons & Sheila Laxon

26. Trust In You (NZ) 50kg Bruce Wallace & Grant Cooksley

27. Saint George (GB) 50kg Ciaron Maher

28. Brayden Star (GB) 50kg Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young

29. Manzoice 50kg Chris Waller

30. Kinesiology (GB) 50kg Jessica Harrington

Not passed ballet clause

Eq 31st – Francesco Guardi 52 kgs Chris Waller

Eq 31st – Le Don De Vie 50 kgs Ciaron Maher

Eq 33rd – Sea King 50 kgs H Eustace

Eq 33rd – Waltham 50 kgs Matthew Smith

Eq 33rd – Whiskey on The Hill 50 kgs Mike Moroney & Glen Thompson