Prince of Arran has retired: https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.c...-arran-retired/

The article claims that "the 8-year-old gelding was barred from competing in a fourth edition [of the Melbourne Cup] by the Australian authorities".

Without that carrot - and following some pretty ordinary performances - his trainer tweeted: “It is with a heavy heart that we have decided to retire Prince of Arran. He has taken me places I could never have dreamed of and I am delighted he was here to witness my first domestic group winner. Happy retirement old boy.”

124 horses remain in the running for the 2021 Melbourne Cup. 48 horses have dropped out after first acceptances today:

ACHIEVER

BARON SAMEDI (GB)

BENAUD (IRE)

BUCHAREST

DADOOZDART (GB)

DEVINE GREY

DURSTON (GB)

EAGLEMONT (IRE)

EAGLES BY DAY (IRE)

ELEPHANT (NZ)

EPERDUMENT

FAVREAU (NZ)

FIORZANA

FLASH AAH

FRANCESCO GUARDI (IRE)

GLYCON (FR)

GROVE FERRY (IRE)

HERMAN HESSE (GB)

IL AFFARE (NZ)

IL PARADISO (USA)

IRONCLAD (GB)

KINGSHEIR (GB)

LONE EAGLE (IRE)

LOVEPLANET (NZ)

LUNAR FLARE

MAKAWEE (IRE)

MIRANN (FR)

MONTABOT (FR)

NONCONFORMIST

NOT USUAL GLORIOUS

OLYMPIOS (NZ)

PALE KING (FR)

PRINCE OF ARRAN (GB)

PRINCESS JENNI (NZ)

RANGI TOA (NZ)

RED KELLY (FR)

SAN HUBERTO (IRE)

SAVE A FOREST (IRE)

SCARLET TUFTY (FR)

SHUFFLE UP

SOUTH PACIFIC (GB)

STARCASTER (GB)

STRATUM ALBION (GB)

SURF DANCER (IRE)

VERIMLI (FR)

WEEKENDER (GB)

YALETOWN

ZIEGFELD (GB)

Missed reporting this nomination; which wasn't a bad thing as it may have otherwise tempted a terrible bet:

Tuesday
NEVER LISTEN		9th of 9	$21	SCNE	1400m Good4 CL3 $24,000

Here are the next couple days' of Melbourne Cup nominees racing:

Wednesday
MAYFAIR SPIRIT (IRE)	Gosford - Race 3 - 3:10PM PRECISE AIR HANDICAP (1900 METRES)
EMISSARY (GB)	Ladbrokes Park Hillside - Race 8 - 5:05PM MRC Super Box Handicap (1800 METRES)
HARMYSIAN (GB)	Ladbrokes Park Hillside - Race 8 - 5:05PM MRC Super Box Handicap (1800 METRES)
HORRIFYING (NZ)	Ladbrokes Park Hillside - Race 8 - 5:05PM MRC Super Box Handicap (1800 METRES)
KING'S CHARISMA (IRE)	Ladbrokes Park Hillside - Race 8 - 5:05PM MRC Super Box Handicap (1800 METRES)
TIGRE ROYALE (NZ)	Ladbrokes Park Hillside - Race 8 - 5:05PM MRC Super Box Handicap (1800 METRES)
Thursday
HORSE FOR HIGHER	Mornington - Race 5 - 3:00PM Vale Brendan Woodman Handicap (2050 METRES)
HEIR TO THE THRONE (NZ)	Mornington - Race 6 - 3:30PM Paul Stokes Handicap (3080 METRES)

Results of Melbourne Cup nominees the past two days:

Thursday
EMISSARY (GB)		2nd of 14	$16	SANH	1800m Good4 BM78 $50,000
KING'S CHARISMA (IRE)		7th of 14	$4.2	SANH	1800m Good4 BM78 $50,000
HORRIFYING (NZ)		10th of 14	$5.5	SANH	1800m Good4 BM78 $50,000
HARMYSIAN (GB)		12th of 14	$21	SANH	1800m Good4 BM78 $50,000
TIGRE ROYALE (NZ)		13th of 14	$101	SANH	1800m Good4 BM78 $50,000
MAYFAIR SPIRIT (IRE)		3rd of 8	$3.5	GOSF	1900m Good4 BM72 $50,000
Friday
HORSE FOR HIGHER		5th of 5	$9	MORN	2050m Good4 F&M BM70 $35,000
HEIR TO THE THRONE (NZ)		3rd of 9	$2.5	MORN	3080m Good4 BM78 $35,000

Here are the upcoming runners (including Incentivise resuming):

Friday
MARCHONS ENSEMBLE (GB)	2400m Good4 BM70 $50,000
Saturday
COOLTH	Flemington - Race 1 - 12:30PM TAB Long May We Play Plate (2500 METRES)
KILLOURNEY (IRE)	Flemington - Race 1 - 12:30PM TAB Long May We Play Plate (2500 METRES)
PONDUS (GB)	Flemington - Race 1 - 12:30PM TAB Long May We Play Plate (2500 METRES)
TOORADIN	Flemington - Race 1 - 12:30PM TAB Long May We Play Plate (2500 METRES)
IMPECUNIOUS (NZ)	Flemington - Race 6 - 3:35PM Furphy Let's Elope Stakes (1400 METRES)
COLETTE	Flemington - Race 8 - 4:50PM PFD Food Services Makybe Diva Stakes (1600 METRES)
EXPLOSIVE JACK (NZ)	Flemington - Race 8 - 4:50PM PFD Food Services Makybe Diva Stakes (1600 METRES)
INCENTIVISE	Flemington - Race 8 - 4:50PM PFD Food Services Makybe Diva Stakes (1600 METRES)
INSPIRATIONAL GIRL (NZ)	Flemington - Race 8 - 4:50PM PFD Food Services Makybe Diva Stakes (1600 METRES)
JOHNNY GET ANGRY (NZ)	Flemington - Race 8 - 4:50PM PFD Food Services Makybe Diva Stakes (1600 METRES)
MOUNT POPA (IRE)	Flemington - Race 8 - 4:50PM PFD Food Services Makybe Diva Stakes (1600 METRES)
SIR DRAGONET (IRE)	Flemington - Race 8 - 4:50PM PFD Food Services Makybe Diva Stakes (1600 METRES)
DEFIBRILLATE (NZ)	Flemington - Race 9 - 5:25PM Very Special Kids Pin and Win Plate (1700 METRES)
FLOATING ARTIST (GB)	Flemington - Race 9 - 5:25PM Very Special Kids Pin and Win Plate (1700 METRES)
GOOD IDEA	Flemington - Race 9 - 5:25PM Very Special Kids Pin and Win Plate (1700 METRES)
KINANE (NZ)	Flemington - Race 9 - 5:25PM Very Special Kids Pin and Win Plate (1700 METRES)
KING OF LEOGRANCE (FR)	Flemington - Race 9 - 5:25PM Very Special Kids Pin and Win Plate (1700 METRES)
LONG ARM (IRE)	Flemington - Race 9 - 5:25PM Very Special Kids Pin and Win Plate (1700 METRES)
MILFORD (NZ)	Flemington - Race 9 - 5:25PM Very Special Kids Pin and Win Plate (1700 METRES)
PERSAN	Flemington - Race 9 - 5:25PM Very Special Kids Pin and Win Plate (1700 METRES)
SECRET BLAZE	Flemington - Race 9 - 5:25PM Very Special Kids Pin and Win Plate (1700 METRES)
SHERWOOD FOREST	Flemington - Race 9 - 5:25PM Very Special Kids Pin and Win Plate (1700 METRES)
YOUNG WERTHER (NZ)	Flemington - Race 9 - 5:25PM Very Special Kids Pin and Win Plate (1700 METRES)
DARVIN (IRE)	Morphettville - Race 1 - 12:12PM Roadside Services and Solutions Handicap (2500 METRES)
MANKAYAN (IRE)	Kembla Grange - Race 2 - 12:15PM DYSON HANDICAP (2400 METRES)
COGNAC (IRE)	Kembla Grange - Race 3 - 12:50PM BOWERMANS COMMERCIAL FURNITURE HANDICAP (2000 METRES)
DICK WHITTINGTON (FR)	Kembla Grange - Race 3 - 12:50PM BOWERMANS COMMERCIAL FURNITURE HANDICAP (2000 METRES)
PESTO (GB)	Kembla Grange - Race 3 - 12:50PM BOWERMANS COMMERCIAL FURNITURE HANDICAP (2000 METRES)
SOUND OF CANNONS (GB)	Kembla Grange - Race 3 - 12:50PM BOWERMANS COMMERCIAL FURNITURE HANDICAP (2000 METRES)

I haven't really been keeping up with overseas racing, but an important race was held in Ireland overnight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psSlsESV6Oc.

Melbourne Cup nominees were at the forefront with Sonnyboyliston winning a tough battle impressively and denying Search For A Song a threepeat. Twilight Payment was close behind, finishing within a length. Master of Reality faded badly and brought the field home.

Sonnyboyliston also had an impressive win in the Ebor Cup a three weeks ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o31l3BMRNc

His trainer says a Melbourne Cup start is unlikely, thinking that it's too soon. A huge purchase offer from an Australian syndicate could change the owner's mind though. Despite the speculation, he's reported to now be second favourite at $11.


Weights for the Melbourne Cup are coming out tomorrow.

Weights are out today:

Horse	Weight (kg)	Rating
SONNYBOYLISTON (IRE)	58	116
TWILIGHT PAYMENT (IRE)	58	117
SIR DRAGONET (IRE)	57.5	116
GOLD TRIP (FR)	57	115
SPANISH MISSION (USA)	57	117
VERRY ELLEEGANT (NZ)	57	122
INCENTIVISE	55.5	104
THINK IT OVER	55.5	114
AWAY HE GOES (IRE)	54.5	112
VOW AND DECLARE	54.5	107
BUCKHURST (IRE)	54	105
EXPLOSIVE JACK (NZ)	54	108
MASTER OF REALITY (IRE)	54	110
SPIRIT RIDGE (GB)	54	107
SUPERSTORM	54	104
THE CHOSEN ONE (NZ)	54	107
ANGEL OF TRUTH	53.5	104
BEAUDEN (NZ)	53.5	104
COLETTE	53.5	112
MIRAGE DANCER (GB)	53.5	104
NANCHO (GER)	53.5	107
OCEAN BILLY (NZ)	53.5	100
SELINO (GB)	53.5	105
DAWN PATROL (IRE)	53	103
JOHNNY GET ANGRY (NZ)	53	104
KING OF LEOGRANCE (FR)	53	104
KNIGHTS ORDER (IRE)	53	94
KUKERACHA (NZ)	53	103
PERSAN	53	104
QUICK THINKER	53	105
SOUND (GER)	53	104
AMADE (IRE)	52.5	102
ATTORNEY (FR)	52.5	102
CARIF	52.5	103
CHAPADA	52.5	102
DASHING WILLOUGHBY (GB)	52.5	105
DELPHI (IRE)	52.5	103
INSPIRATIONAL GIRL (NZ)	52.5	110
LE DON DE VIE (GB)	52.5	103
MASTER OF WINE (GER)	52.5	105
MOUNT POPA (IRE)	52.5	103
PONDUS (GB)	52.5	109
DEFIBRILLATE (NZ)	52	103
MIAMI BOUND (NZ)	52	105
PORT GUILLAUME (FR)	52	103
SHE'S IDEEL	52	106
YOUNG WERTHER (NZ)	52	100
FUN FACT	51.5	100
FUTURE SCORE (IRE)	51.5	99
HUNGRY HEART	51.5	106
IRISH FLAME (NZ)	51.5	100
DUAIS	51	101
GOOD IDEA	51	95
GRAND PROMENADE (GB)	51	99
MONTEFILIA	51	104
REALM OF FLOWERS	51	102
RODRIGO DIAZ (GB)	51	105
SHERAZ (FR)	51	103
SHERWOOD FOREST	51	97
SIERRA SUE (NZ)	51	106
TRALEE ROSE (NZ)	51	98
CORMORANT (IRE)	50.5	99
HARPO MARX (IRE)	50.5	88
THE GOOD FIGHT (NZ)	50.5	98
YOUNG RASCAL (FR)	50.5	103
AKTAU (GB)	50	98
ALAKAHAN (IRE)	50	86
ATISHU (NZ)	50	89
AZALY	50	72
BARADE (FR)	50	89
BARTHOLOMEU DIAS (GB)	50	90
CEPHEUS (GB)	50	91
CHARMS STAR (NZ)	50	90
COGNAC (IRE)	50	74
CONSTANTINOPLE (IRE)	50	89
COOLTH	50	74
DARK DREAM	50	98
DARVIN (IRE)	50	75
DEGRAVES (IRE)	50	86
DICK WHITTINGTON (FR)	50	76
DJUKON (GB)	50	87
EMISSARY (GB)	50	79
ENGLISH KING (FR)	50	92
FLOATING ARTIST (GB)	50	86
GREAT HOUSE (IRE)	50	80
HARMYSIAN (GB)	50	78
HASTA LA WAR	50	78
HEART OF PUISSANCE	50	88
HEIR TO THE THRONE (NZ)	50	76
HIGH EMOCEAN (NZ)	50	90
HORRIFYING (NZ)	50	73
HORSE FOR HIGHER	50	66
IMPECUNIOUS (NZ)	50	80
KILLOURNEY (IRE)	50	74
KINANE (NZ)	50	80
KING'S CHARISMA (IRE)	50	76
LE BAOL (FR)	50	86
LONG ARM (IRE)	50	90
LUNCIES (GB)	50	83
MANKAYAN (IRE)	50	78
MARCHONS ENSEMBLE (GB)	50	71
MAYFAIR SPIRIT (IRE)	50	72
MILFORD (NZ)	50	93
MILITARY MISSION (IRE)	50	89
MOHICAN HEIGHTS (IRE)	50	90
MOSH MUSIC	50	99
NEVER LISTEN	50	87
PESTO (GB)	50	77
PURRFECT DEAL	50	96
ROSTROPOVICH (IRE)	50	98
ROYAL CROWN	50	80
SECRET BLAZE	50	97
SIGNORA NERA (NZ)	50	80
SIR LUCAN (IRE)	50	110
SKYMAX (GER)	50	89
SOUND OF CANNONS (GB)	50	69
SOUS LES NUAGES (IRE)	50	95
SUREFIRE (GB)	50	95
SWEET THOMAS (GER)	50	93
TIGRE ROYALE (NZ)	50	80
TOKEN SPIRIT	50	65
TOORADIN	50	85
ZEYREK (FR)	50	84
FORGOT YOU (NZ)	49	63

Looks like they're really trying to tempt Verry Elleegant (or believe that 3200m is well beyond her best-suited distance).

Spanish Mission would be happy; should be carrying an extra kilo.

Incentivise got..... Well. Obviously Greg Carpenter thinks there is substantial improvement to come.

Vow And Declare has dropped 2.5kg on his weight of last year. Only 2.5kg greater than his winning weight.

Sir Lucan looks well in, but wouldn't get a start at this stage. The ratings should be taken with a pinch of salt for the overseas contingent though. For example, Cormorant has an Irish rating of 106 from earlier this year, but is only 99 here in Australia. Dick Whittington had a French rating of 107-108 and is now rated at 76 after three local runs.

Only one Cup nominee running locally in the next couple of days:

Wednesday
HASTA LA WAR	Balaklava - Race 8 - 3:40PM TQCSI Balaklava Cup (1600 METRES)

The first order of entry wasn't supposed to be out 'til Friday but came out yesterday. You can see the full list here: https://cdn.racing.com/-/media/rv/2...pt-15.pdf?la=en

Realm of Flowers is exempt following her win in the Andrew Ramsden earlier this year. Verry Elleegant is otherwise at the top of the order.

Young Werther is currently on the bubble in spot #24. Think It Over, Buckhurst, Inspirational Girl and Superstorm will leapfrog him if/when they pass the first ballot clause.

Results:

Wednesday
HASTA LA WAR	YTPFBC	7th of 16	$15	BKVA	1600m Good3 BKVA CUP Listed $109,250

^YTPFBC = Yet To Pass First Ballot Clause




Nominations:

Friday 17, September 2021
QUICK THINKER	28	Newcastle - Race 7 - 4:40PM SHARP OFFICE NEWCASTLE GOLD CUP (2300 METRES)
DASHING WILLOUGHBY (GB)	42	First 3 Finishers Pass First Ballot Clause + Prizemoney added to totals
SWEET THOMAS (GER)	58
GREAT HOUSE (IRE)	YTPFBC
HARPO MARX (IRE)	YTPFBC
LUNCIES (GB)	YTPFBC
DUAIS	17	Newcastle - Race 8 - 5:20PM AUSTRALIAN BLOODSTOCK CAMERON HANDICAP (1500 METRES)
CARIF	34	Does not qualify as a Relevant Race Performance
CEPHEUS (GB)	62
NEVER LISTEN	YTPFBC
Saturday 18, September 2021
PURRFECT DEAL	56	Aquis Park Gold Coast - Race 2 - 12:22PM SIMMONS LIVINGSTONE & ASSOCIATES BENCHMARK 80 Handicap (2200 METRES)
		Does not qualify as a Relevant Race Performance
REALM OF FLOWERS	1	Caulfield - Race 7 - 4:15PM Catanach's Jewellers MRC Foundation Cup (2000 METRES)
VOW AND DECLARE	11	Does not qualify as a Relevant Race Performance
MIAMI BOUND (NZ)	22
MIRAGE DANCER (GB)	23
ANGEL OF TRUTH	27
KNIGHTS ORDER (IRE)	31
CHAPADA	38
TRALEE ROSE (NZ)	40
DELPHI (IRE)	41
PORT GUILLAUME (FR)	43
FUTURE SCORE (IRE)	45
MOSH MUSIC	50
AMADE (IRE)	YTPFBC
CONSTANTINOPLE (IRE)	YTPFBC
GRAND PROMENADE (GB)	YTPFBC
ROSTROPOVICH (IRE)	YTPFBC
IRISH FLAME (NZ)	YTPFBC	Caulfield - Race 8 - 4:50PM Neds Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400 METRES)
SIERRA SUE (NZ)	YTPFBC	Does not qualify as a Relevant Race Performance
CHARMS STAR (NZ)	44	Royal Randwick - Race 2 - 12:15PM PEACHESTER LODGE SHOOT OUT MILE (1600 METRES)
ATISHU (NZ)	YTPFBC	Does not qualify as a Relevant Race Performance
COGNAC (IRE)	YTPFBC
VERRY ELLEEGANT (NZ)	2	Royal Randwick - Race 7 - 3:15PM FUJITSU GENERAL GEORGE MAIN STAKES (1600 METRES)
HUNGRY HEART	13	Does not qualify as a Relevant Race Performance
THINK IT OVER	YTPFBC
KUKERACHA (NZ)	14	Royal Randwick - Race 9 - 4:35PM TAB KINGSTON TOWN STAKES (2000 METRES)
SPIRIT RIDGE (GB)	18	Does not qualify as a Relevant Race Performance
MONTEFILIA	20
SELINO (GB)	21
SHE'S IDEEL	25
ATTORNEY (FR)	35
YOUNG RASCAL (FR)	54
FUN FACT	YTPFBC
MASTER OF WINE (GER)	YTPFBC
ZEYREK (FR)	YTPFBC

Results from the past two days of Cup nominees:

Friday
DUAIS	17	3rd of 13	$5.5	NCLE	1500m Soft5 CAMERON Group 3 $161,400
CARIF	34	4th of 13	$91	NCLE
CEPHEUS (GB)	62	11th of 13	$16	NCLE
NEVER LISTEN	YTPFBC	13th of 13	$201	NCLE
GREAT HOUSE (IRE)	PFBC	1st of 14	$13	NCLE	2300m Soft5 NCLE CUP Group 3 $254,900
QUICK THINKER	28	2nd of 14	$20	NCLE
LUNCIES (GB)	YTPFBC	4th of 14	$5	NCLE
HARPO MARX (IRE)	YTPFBC	6th of 14	$6	NCLE
SWEET THOMAS (GER)	58	11th of 14	$31	NCLE
DASHING WILLOUGHBY (GB)	42	12th of 14	$21	NCLE
Saturday
SIERRA SUE (NZ)	YTPFBC	1st of 16	$11	CAUL	1400m Good4 RUP CLARKE Group 1 $1,002,000
IRISH FLAME (NZ)	YTPFBC	12th of 16	$101	CAUL
DELPHI (IRE)	41	2nd of 16	$8	CAUL	2000m Good4 NATURALISM Group 3 $200,750
TRALEE ROSE (NZ)	40	3rd of 16	$4.8	CAUL
MIRAGE DANCER (GB)	23	4th of 16	$101	CAUL
GRAND PROMENADE (GB)	YTPFBC	5th of 16	$9	CAUL
PORT GUILLAUME (FR)	43	6th of 16	$101	CAUL
MOSH MUSIC	50	7th of 16	$101	CAUL
AMADE (IRE)	YTPFBC	8th of 16	$12	CAUL
KNIGHTS ORDER (IRE)	31	9th of 16	$31	CAUL
VOW AND DECLARE	11	11th of 16	$31	CAUL
CHAPADA	38	12th of 16	$21	CAUL
FUTURE SCORE (IRE)	45	13th of 16	$26	CAUL
REALM OF FLOWERS	1	14th of 16	$19	CAUL
ANGEL OF TRUTH	27	15th of 16	$9	CAUL
MIAMI BOUND (NZ)	22	16th of 16	$41	CAUL
PURRFECT DEAL	56	3rd of 9	$2.6	GCST	2200m Good4 BM80 $75,000
ATISHU (NZ)	YTPFBC	1st of 9	$3.5	RAND	1400m Soft5 RITCHIE Group 3 $161,600
CHARMS STAR (NZ)	44	5th of 8	$11	RAND	1600m Soft5 BM88 $130,000
COGNAC (IRE)	YTPFBC	7th of 8	$15	RAND
VERRY ELLEEGANT (NZ)	2	1st of 9	$1.75	RAND	1600m Soft7 GEO MAIN Group 1 $1,005,000
THINK IT OVER	YTPFBC	3rd of 9	$4.8	RAND
HUNGRY HEART	13	4th of 9	$21	RAND
SHE'S IDEEL	25	1st of 12	$2.8	RAND	2000m Soft7 KING TOWN Group 3 $161,000
MONTEFILIA	20	2nd of 12	$5	RAND
ZEYREK (FR)	YTPFBC	4th of 12	$21	RAND
ATTORNEY (FR)	35	6th of 12	$61	RAND
FUN FACT	YTPFBC	7th of 12	$15	RAND
SELINO (GB)	21	8th of 12	$101	RAND
YOUNG RASCAL (FR)	54	9th of 12	$101	RAND
MASTER OF WINE (GER)	YTPFBC	10th of 12	$19	RAND
SPIRIT RIDGE (GB)	18	11th of 12	$6	RAND
KUKERACHA (NZ)	14	12th of 12	$15	RAND

Great House has now passed the first ballot clause. Only gets him up to around #56 in the order though.