Good numbers remain for spring features

Five-time winning owner Lloyd Williams has one-fifth of the 55 runners remaining in contention for the Melbourne Cup.

First acceptances for the $6 million race at Flemington on November 7 were taken on Tuesday.

Williams has four horses trained by Robert Hickmott – last year’s winner Almandin, Sir Isaac Newton, Bondi Beach and Gallante – currently inside the field limit of 24 runners.

The private trainer for Williams, Hickmott also has Aloft, Amralah, Assign and Foundry outside the cut-off point while Williams has an ownership interest in Johannes Vermeer with Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien and Rekindling and US Army Ranger with O’Brien’s son Joseph.

Amelie’s Star guaranteed her spot in the Melbourne Cup with victory in The Bart Cummings at Flemington on Saturday and is one of eight horses remaining for 2015 Cup-winning trainer Darren Weir.

Of the overseas contenders in quarantine at Werribee, Tiberian, Red Cardinal, Marmelo, Johannes Vermeer, Wicklow Brave, Francis of Assisi, Qewy and Wall Of Fire remain while the five international horses scheduled to arrive in Melbourne on Saturday – Rekindling, US Army Ranger, Max Dynamite, Thomas Hobson and Nakeeta – are also included on the acceptance list.

A total of 36 horses are second acceptors for Saturday week’s Caulfield Cup, including six from the Weir stable.

Topweight Hartnell remains in contention for Godolphin while seven internationals – Francis of Assisi, Kidmenever, Marmelo, Johannes Vermeer, Wall of Fire and the Willie Mullins-trained duo Wicklow Brave and Riven Light – are also in the mix.

Winx headlines the 36 horses, up from 29 at the same stage last year, for the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 28.

Her trainer Chris Waller has six second acceptors while Hartnell, second to the great mare last year, is also there.

Five internationals remain, up from two last year – Taj Mahal, Johannes Vermeer, Kaspersky, Folkswood and Riven Light.