The Melbourne Cup is likely to have a strong list of international runners after first declarations closed on Tuesday.

Five horses remain in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 7 under the care of their overseas trainers while a sixth, Lastotchka will run for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr when she arrives in Melbourne within the next fortnight.

The Willie Mullins pair of Absurde and Vauban, Japanese entrant Breakup and Lastotchka are safely in the field of 24 after the Order of Entry was released on Tuesday.

The Joseph O’Brien pair of Valiant King and Okita Soushi round out the international brigade and sit at numbers 31 and 32 respectively in the entry order.

Golden Ticket winners Lunar Flare and Goldman remain in contention as does last year’s winner, and this year’s topweight, Gold Trip.

Last year’s runner-up Emissary is almost assured of a start after jumping up the ballot order on Tuesday to number 25.

Chris Waller’s team of 14 nominations has been whittled down to eight with Francesco Guardi and Soulcombe already safely in the field.

Victoria Racing Club Executive General Manager Racing, Leigh Jordan said the quality was high across the board among the first acceptors for the Melbourne Cup.

“As they have for 30 years, the best from Ireland, the UK and Japan remain on target to tackle the finest Australian and New Zealand stayers in what amounts to the most exciting three minutes in Australian sport,” Jordon said.

“This Saturday sees the final race meeting at Flemington before the Melbourne Cup Carnival with another Melbourne Cup Golden Ticket on offer in the Bart Cummings and a host of top-class horses continuing their preparations for Australia’s greatest race week in the Turnbull Stakes.

“We can’t wait to see who will emerge as Melbourne Cup contenders over the next five weeks and the continued build up to the first Tuesday of November.”

Vauban heads the betting on the Cup at $4.50 with Dabble ahead of Just Fine and Soulcombe at $8.

Melbourne Cup First Declarations