Stars remain for Flemington features

Numbers have been reduced following first declarations for three feature races at Flemington.

A total of 31 horses remain in contention for the Newmarket Handicap on March 11 including the first three home in last Saturday’s Lightning Stakes in which Terravista defeated Spieth and Star Turn.

Trainer Mick Price has paid up for star three-year-olds Extreme Choice and Flying Artie while Chautauqua also remains in the mix.

Notable omissions include Black Heart Bart and Music Magnate.

Winx is still in the entries for the Australian Cup, run the same day as the Newmarket Handicap, but is expected to race in Sydney the following week.

The Cup has been reduced to 27 from 61 with last year’s quinella of Preferment and Awesome Rock among declarations.

Caulfield Cup winner Jameka is also in contention but Melbourne Cup winner Almandin has been taken out.

Almandin’s owner Lloyd Williams still has five horses in the Cup including The United States.

Of the 120 three-year-olds nominated in the Australian Guineas on March 4, 41 remain.

Of those, eight are fillies including Harlow Gold, Fuhryk and star West Australian filly Ellicazoom.

Astern, Hobartville Stakes winner Man From Uncle and I Am A Star were not among the declarations..