Raiders return - big increase in overseas entries for Melbourne Cup

This year's Melbourne Cup could see a much larger international challenge with 43 of the 186 entries coming from overseas trainers for 'the race that stops the nation' on November 1.

It is a big increase from 2021's total of 15 overseas runners among 176 entries, and the international challenge this year could be spearheaded by the Richard Hannon-trained Mojo Star.

Last year's St Leger second returned in 2022 with a huge effort behind Kyprios in the Ascot Gold Cup and could be joined by fellow British-trained runners El Bodegon, a French Group 1 winner, and Without A Fight, winner of last month's John Smith's Silver Cup.

Aidan O'Brien did not travel to Australia last year but could be represented by a team of six, including King Edward VII winner Changingoftheguard and Point Lonsdale.

His son Joseph has won two of the last five renewals and has ten entries, with Baron Samedi, Master Of Reality and Okita Soushi potentially headlining his challenge.

Dermot Weld is another Irish trainer with a pair of Melbourne Cup wins to his name, most recently with Media Puzzle in 2002, and last year's Chester Cup winner Falcon Eight could be his representative.

Derby runner-up Hoo Ya Mal was bought for £1.2 million after his Classic heroics and he stands his ground for domestic challengers Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, alongside the Edward Cummings-trained Australian Cup winner Duais.

Last year's Melbourne Cup was won impressively by Verry Elleegant, who defeated Incentivise by four lengths. Best of the international challenge was the Andrew Balding-trained Spanish Mission in third and he could be back for another crack.

Real World heading down under?

The Cox Plate has also drawn 169 entries, with Saeed bin Suroor's Real World a potential challenger for Godolphin.

Runner-up to Baaeed on his two most recent starts, he headlines the international challenge alongside last year's winner State Of Rest, who also features among the entries.

Anamoe missed out by a short-head to State Of Rest in 2021 and will be out for redemption alongside the formerly British-handled Zaaki, who was scratched on the morning of last year's race.

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