The pool of potential Melbourne Cup contenders has shrunk to 58 after the second declarations were finalised.

Trainer Ciaron Maher still has 14 hopefuls in the running for the Melbourne Cup, a 3200m race set to be run at Flemington on November 3. Among Maher’s strong team are Shockletz and Mr Monaco, winners of the past two ballot-exempt races, The Archer and The Bart Cummings respectively. Middle Earth, a horse that was placed in last year’s Cup, is also included in Maher’s lineup.

Chris Waller’s stable is represented by Aeliana, Ohope Wins, and last week’s Herbert Power Stakes victor, Pinhole.

Nineteen of the 22 acceptances for Saturday’s Caulfield Cup (2400m) are still within the 58 Melbourne Cup second declarations, including Half Yours, the horse that accomplished the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup double last year.

There are 13 European stayers who have paid up for second declarations, with nine of these coming from the stable of Joseph O’Brien, a trainer with two Cup wins. O’Brien’s leading contenders are Definantly, which secured a ‘Golden Ticket’ via its August win in the Prix Kergolay at Deauville, and Goodie Two Shoes, a horse that finished placed in last year’s Cup behind Half Yours.

Four races still offer ‘Golden Tickets’ to the Cup: the Caulfield Cup, the Geelong Cup, the Moonee Valley Gold Cup, and the Cox Plate.

Third declarations will be taken on October 26, with the final field and barriers to be confirmed on October 31.

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