Last Cup chance in Lexus Stakes

Eight of the 10 runners in the Lexus Stakes will be staking a claim for automatic inclusion in the Melbourne Cup.

The winner of Saturday’s 2500m-Group Three race is guaranteed a start with Ecuador and Havana Cooler the only two Lexus runners not among the Cup entries at the latest declaration stage.

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Irish horse Thomas Hobson was at No.24 in the Cup ballot on Friday and the horse most at risk of missing a start if connections of the Lexus winner decide to run.

The Willie Mullins-trained Thomas Hobson is a stablemate to 2015 Cup runner-up Max Dynamite and Wicklow Brave.

Two horses already in the field – Jon Snow and Harlem – have not passed veterinary inspections and will be re-examined on Saturday.