Prizes
First - $4,400,000 and trophies valued at $200,000, $20,000, $15,000, $7,500 & $7,500 to owner, rider, trainer, strapper and breeder respectively
Second - $1,100,000
Third - $550,000
Fourth - $350,000
Fifth - $230,000
Sixth - $160,000
Seventh - $160,000
Eighth - $160,000
Ninth - $160,000
Tenth - $160,000
Eleventh - $160,000
Twelfth - $160,000

For horses earning prizemoney for being placed 1st – 12th inclusive, respective prizemonies payable shall be distributed as follows:
Owner - 85%; Trainer - 10%; Rider - 5%


Entries
Entries close at 12 NOON on TUESDAY 3 AUGUST 2021. Fee - $1,000 ($800 cheaper than last year).
Late Entries: Any horse not previously entered may be nominated before 12 NOON on 10 AUGUST 2021. Fee - $5,500.
New this year: the winner of each of the following international races is eligible to be nominated as a late entry by 25 AUGUST 2021. Fee - $1,000:

• 2021 Great Voltiguer (18th Aug)
• 2021 Lonsdale Cup (20th Aug)
• 2021 Ebor Handicap (22nd Aug)
• 2021 Prix Kergolay (22nd Aug)

Handicaps
Handicaps will be declared no later than MONDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2021.

Benchmark Weights:
3YO C&G 50.0kg; 3YO Filly 48.5kg
NH 3YO C&G 56.5kg; NH 3YO Filly 55.0kg
4YO E&G 58.0kg; 4YO Mare 56.5kg
5YO+ E&G 59.5kg 5YO+ Mare 58.0kg

Minimum Handicap Weight:
3YO 49.0kg
4YO&Up 50.0kg

There is no maximum weight for this race. Minimum top weight of 58kg at the time of weights being released. There is no minimum top weight after acceptances.

No allowances for apprentices.


Weight Penalties
The Handicapper can determine that, after declaration of weights, a subsequent winner of an internationally recognised Listed, Group or Graded flat race may carry additional weight. (It's only applicable for handicapped races >= 1600m, or non-handicaps >= 2300m).


Declarations of Acceptance
There is now a third declaration ahead of final declarations. It now costs an additional $1,000 all-up, in comparison to last year.

First Declaration: TUESDAY 7 SEPTEMBER (Fee: $1,500)
Second Declaration: TUESDAY 28 SEPTEMBER (Fee: $2,000)
Third Declaration: TUESDAY 12 OCTOBER (Fee: $3,000)
Fourth Declaration: MONDAY 25 OCTOBER (Fee: $4000)
Final Declaration: SATURDAY 30 OCTOBER (Fee: $49,500)
Any horse for which a declaration is not received is removed from the race.

A fourth declaration is new this year; paying $1700 extra than last year with the savings at different stages.


Conditions of Final Acceptance

1. In addition to the requirements set out at clauses (3) and (4) of this section, if Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards receive and accept an RV veterinary surgeon’s report that a particular horse would have been unfit to compete in the Lexus Melbourne Cup race if it was held on the actual day that Declaration of Final Acceptance closes, then such horse shall not be a final acceptor for this race. Provided that, in the instance of a horse that competes in a race at Flemington on 2021 Victoria Derby Day, exclusion from Declaration of Final Acceptance for this race will apply only if RV Stewards accept an RV veterinary surgeon’s report that such horse cannot reasonably be expected to be fit to compete in the Lexus Melbourne Cup three days hence.
2. A final acceptor included in the established field of (up to) 24 horses may not be subsequently withdrawn from this race by its nominator or agent.
3. All horses seeking final acceptance will be required to undergo and comply with the requirements of RV as set out at [insert webpage reference here] in order to be eligible.
4. The application of AR 21(j) (power of Stewards to withdraw a horse if in their opinion it is unfit to run) will apply if the circumstances warrant it at any time prior to the race.

Rider Notification
By 4.30 PM, SATURDAY 30 OCTOBER


Ballot Exemptions
- 2021 VRC The Andrew Ramsden
- 2021 VRC The Bart Cummings
- 2021 VRC Lexus Hotham Stakes
- 2021 MVRC Cox Plate
- 2021 MRC Caulfield Cup


Relevant Race Performances

A) since 1 February 2020 inclusive, won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in an internationally recognised Group or Graded flat race run over 2300 metres or further; OR won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in the Queensland Oaks (2020 - Cancelled; 2021 - Duais), or

B) since 1 February 2020 inclusive, was placed 4th or 5th in an internationally recognised Group 1 or Grade 1 flat race run over 2300 metres or further in which horses older than 3 years old could run, OR

C) since 1 February 2020 inclusive, won an internationally recognised Listed flat race run over 2300 metres or further, OR

D) since 1 February 2021 inclusive, won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in the York Ebor (UK; TBD 22nd August) or Champions & Chater Cup (HK; Panfield), OR

E) since 1 February 2021 inclusive, won the Northumberland Plate (UK; Nicholas T), Cesarewitch (UK; 9th October), or Queen Mother Memorial Cup (HK; Butterfield), OR

F) was placed 6th, 7th or 8th in the 2021 MRC Caulfield Cup (16th October), OR

G) was placed 2nd or 3rd in the 2021 MVRC Cox Plate (23rd October), OR

H) won the 2021 VRC TAB Turnbull Stakes (3rd October), OR

I) won or was placed 2nd or 3rd in the 2019 Melbourne Cup (Vow And Declare, Prince Of Arran, Il Paradiso), OR

J) won the 2019 Caulfield Cup (Mer de Glace)


Ballot order will be - asides from those runners who are exempt - in descending weight figure. Those of equal weight will be ordered by aggregate prizemoney received in Relevant Race Performances since 1 February 2019 inclusive.


Progressive order of entry lists will be available on a regular basis from Friday 11 September 2021.