Defending champ omitted as Melbourne Cup entry list cut

Reigning Lexus Melbourne Cup champion Without A Fight has been omitted from the 72 horses remaining in contention for the race that stops the nation.
The Freedman-trained gelding became the first horse since 2001 to do the Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double last year, carrying 55.5kg with Mark Zahra on board.
That success hurt him at the weights and connections have opted not to contest this year’s edition of the $8 million feature at Flemington.
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Without A Fight was named as the top weight for the Cup at 58.5kg.
Mark Zahra puts up two fingers to signify his second Melbourne Cup win after crossing the finish line on Without A Fight. Daniel Pockett via Getty Images
In the absence of last year’s winner, Via Sistina is now the top weight at 56kg, with the Chris Waller-trained runner set to contest the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes over 2000m
In the remaining list for the Melbourne Cup, there are 66 local runners and six overseas entries.
Two horses – Point King and The Map – have already earned exemption into the great race, which will be run over Flemington’s famed turf on November 5.
Top international raider Vauban has once again been installed as an early favourite with bookmakers after an impressive runner-up in the Irish St Leger at the weekend.
Victoria Racing Club executive general manager Leigh Jordon believes the latest update to the order of entry boasts a formidable group of runners.
“There is a strong group of 72 local and international contenders hoping to achieve the ultimate success in this year’s Melbourne Cup,” Jordon said.
“This weekend’s race day will be a great form reference for those horses who are racing towards the first Tuesday in November with the day a proven path for trainers and connections.”
Vauban carried 55kg as the favourite last year and ran seventh. This year he will carry 55.5kg.
Vauban in Melbourne last year. Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images
The next round of declarations closes on October 15, followed by third acceptances on October 28, with the final field to be confirmed on November 2.
Nine will broadcast the entire Cup carnival, including Penfolds Victoria Derby Day, Lexus Melbourne Cup day, Crown Oaks day and TAB Champion Stakes day.
1. POINT KING (6yo gelding, A & S Freedman) – 50.5kg
1. THE MAP (6yo mare, Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray) – 50kg
3. VIA SISTINA (7yo mare, Chris Waller) – 56kg
4. JAN BRUEGHEL (4yo entire, Aidan O’Brien) – 54kg
5. VAUBAN (7yo gelding, Willie Mullins) – 55.5kg
6. PLACE DU CARROUSEL (6yo mare, A & S Freedman) – 54kg
7. KALAPOUR (8yo gelding, Kris Lees) – 55kg
8. WARMONGER (4yo gelding, Price & Kent Jr) – 53.5kg
9. FAWKNER PARK (6yo gelding, Neasham & Archibald) – 55kg
10. CIRCLE OF FIRE (5yo entire, Ciaron Maher) – 54.5kg
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11. WARP SPEED (6yo entire, Noboru Takagi) – 54.5kg
12. BUCKAROO (6yo gelding, Chris Waller) – 54.5kg
13. ZARDOZI (4yo mare, James Cummings) – 51kg
14. SHARP ‘N’ SMART (5yo gelding, G & D Rogerson) – 53.5kg
15. KOVALICA (5yo gelding, Chris Waller) – 53.5kg
16. COCO SUN (4yo mare, Tony & Calvin McEvoy) – 50.5kg
17. MILITARY MISSION (7yo gelding, Waterhouse & Bott) – 53kg
18. ADELAIDE RIVER (5yo entire, Kris Lees) – 53kg
19. ABSURDE (7yo gelding, Willie Mullins) – 52.5kg
20. JUST FINE (7yo gelding, Waterhouse & Bott) – 52.5kg
21. ATHABASCAN (6yo gelding, O’Shea & Charlton) – 52kg
22. CLEVELAND (7yo entire, Kris Lees) – 52kg
23. MAHRAJAAN (7yo gelding, Ritchie & Murray) – 52kg
24. ALEGRON (6yo gelding, Bjorn Baker) – 52kg
25. DENY KNOWLEDGE (7yo mare, A & S Freedman) – 50.5kg
26. POST IMPRESSIONIST (6yo gelding, A & S Freedman) – 51.5kg
27. BANKERS CHOICE (7yo gelding, A & S Freedman) – 51.5kg
28. KNIGHT’S CHOICE (5yo gelding, Symons & Laxon) – 51.5kg
29. MURAMASA (5yo gelding, Busuttin & Young) – 51kg
30. AURORA’S SYMPHONY (8yo gelding, Symon Wilde) – 50.5kg
31. VALIANT KING (5yo gelding, Chris Waller) – 50.5kg
32. FUTURE HISTORY (7yo gelding, Ciaron Maher) – 50kg
33. INTERPRETATION (7yo gelding, Ciaron Maher) – 50kg
34. MOSTLY CLOUDY (6yo gelding, Busuttin & Young) – 50kg
35. SIR LUCAN (7yo gelding, Waterhouse & Bott) – 50kg
36. SUIZURO (5yo gelding, Busuttin & Young) – 50kg
37. POSITIVITY (4yo mare, Andrew Forsman) – 50kg
38. ETNA ROSSO (5yo gelding, Chris Waller) – 50kg
39. MISSION OF LOVE (5yo mare, Symons & Laxon) – 50kg
40. ONESMOOTHOPERATOR (7yo gelding, Brian Ellison) – 50kg
41. SAINT GEORGE (5yo entire, Ciaron Maher) – 50kg
42. TRUST IN YOU (6yo gelding, Wallace & Cooksley) – 50kg
43. BIRDMAN (4yo gelding, Chris Waller) – 50kg
44. FANCY MAN (7yo gelding, Neasham & Archibald) – 50kg
45. BRAYDEN STAR (6yo gelding, Busuttin & Young) – 50kg
46. MANZOICE (5yo gelding, Chris Waller) – 50kg
47. SAYEDATY SADATY (4yo entire, Ciaron Maher) – 50kg
48. KINESIOLOGY (5yo entire, Jessica Harrington) – 50kg
49. BERKSHIRE BREEZE (6yo gelding, Ciaron Maher) – 50kg
50. OKITA SOUSHI (7yo entire, Ciaron Maher) – 50kg
51. ROYAL PATRONAGE (6yo entire, Waterhouse & Bott) – 53.5kg
52. ELIYASS (6yo gelding, Waterhouse & Bott) – 53kg
53. FRANCESCO GUARDI (7yo gelding, Chris Waller) – 52kg
53. LAND LEGEND (5yo gelding, Chris Waller) – 52kg
53. LE VON DE VIE (9yo gelding, Ciaron Maher) – 52kg
56. EL BODEGON (6yo gelding, Chris Waller) – 51.5kg
57. CONVENER (6yo gelding, Ciaron Maher) – 50kg
57. DASHING DUCHESS (5yo mare, Symon Wilde) – 50kg
57. DIVUS ROMULUS (5yo gelding, Nick Ryan) – 50kg
57. FIRESTORM (4yo mare, Chris Waller) – 50kg
57. GEAR UP (7yo gelding, Neasham & Archibald) – 50kg
57. HAARACAINE (5yo entire, Nick Ryan) – 50kg
57. HORRIFYING (7yo gelding, Lindsey Smith) – 50kg
57. IMMEDIACY (4yo gelding, Busuttin & Young) – 50kg
57. QUANTUM CAT (5yo gelding, Chris Waller) – 50kg
57. SEA KING (6yo gelding, Harry Eustace) – 50kg
57. SENTIMENTAL FLAME (4yo mare, Travis Doudle) – 50kg
57. THINK ‘N’ FLY (8yo gelding, David Noonan) – 50kg
57. UNUSUAL LEGACY (5yo gelding, Chris Waller) – 50kg
57. WALTHAM (5yo gelding, Matthew Smith) – 50kg
57. WHISKY ON THE HILL (5yo gelding, Moroney & Thompson) – 50kg
57. RED ACES (3yo colt, Nick Ryan) – 50kg