Defending champion Twilight Payment is one of 60 horses that remains in contention for the Melbourne Cup after third declarations on Tuesday.

The Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 2 will be run in front of a crowd this year with the Victorian State Government allowing 10,000 patrons on course.

Besides Twilight Payment who arrived in Melbourne on Saturday night along with fellow European contenders Spanish Mission and Away He Goes, high-profile gallopers that remain in contention for Australia’s great race include Incentivise, Australia’s champion mare Verry Elleegant and three-time Derby winner Explosive Jack.

Realm Of Flowers is already assured of her place in the Melbourne Cup after winning The Andrew Ramsden at Flemington in May, as is Grand Promenade for his win in The Bart Cummings at Flemington on October 2.

Both horses remain after the third round of declarations and are safely in the field.

Saturday’s Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) will provide the winner a golden ticket into the Cup while the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) on October 23 and the Group 3 Hotham Handicap (2500m) on October 30 at Flemington are the remaining ballot-exempt races.

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable has 10 horses remaining in contention for the Melbourne Cup with Grand Promenade, Sir Dragonet, Gold Trip, Explosive Jack and Persan currently inside the safety limit of 24.

After third declarations, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Knights Order sits in 24th spot while Tralee Rose has moved up the order to 27th position.

Fourth declarations for the 2021 Melbourne Cup close on October 25 with the final field and barriers announced on October 30.