Racing: Holberg may miss Cup start

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MELBOURNE - Cox Plate hero So You Think heads 47 horses still in the running for a Melbourne Cup start.

There were few unexpected withdrawals when third declarations were made yesterday.

International stayers accounted for 11 entries - up from six left in the race at the same stage last year.

The overseas representation includes the Godolphin-owned Holberg and Eastern Aria - two horses who are well down in the latest order of entry and in danger of missing a start.

So You Think's trainer Bart Cummings, chasing his 13th Melbourne Cup win, has a total of four horses still in contention.

His back-up entries include Moonee Valley Gold Cup winner Precedence and Faint Perfume and Dariana.

Precedence, however, may be forced to run again at Flemington on Saturday to try to seal a berth.

As expected, Irish St Leger winner Sans Frontieres (first in the order of entry), Zabrasive (16th), Doctor Fremantle (25th) and Vigor (27th) were the only horses among the top 40-ranked entries not to accept.

This Saturday's group three The Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington is crucial before final acceptances at 5pm on Victoria Derby Day.

The winner of The Lexus is exempt from ballot in the Melbourne Cup which provides horses lower in the order of entry an opportunity to leapfrog their way into the field.

Sydney trainer Chris Waller has Metal Bender as his lone Cup hope.

But Metal Bender must run well in the Mackinnon Stakes on Saturday for Waller to press ahead with a Cup start.

Caulfield Cup runner-up Harris Tweed remains in contention, despite suffering a colic attack at the weekend.

The no-nonsense stayer received veterinary treatment and co-trainer Bjorn Baker said the galloper was on the road to recovery. There were 42 horses left in the running for the Melbourne Cup at the same declaration stage in 2009.

A field of 24 will line up in next Tuesday's A$6 million race.

Third declarations in right of entry order are:

So You Think 56kg, Descarado 54kg, Shocking 57kg, Shoot Out 55kg, Metal Bender, Campanologist 56kg; Zipping 55.5kg, Monaco Consul, Profound Beauty 54kg; Mr Medici 55kg, Faint Perfume 52kg, Illustrious Blue 55kg, Tokai Trick, Americain 54.5kg; Dariana, Once Were Wild 51.5kg; Zavite, Harris Tweed, Master O'Reilly, C'Est La Guerre, Manighar, Buccellati 54kg; Jessicabeel 52.5kg; Bauer, Red Ruler, Precedence, Mourayan, Herculian Prince, Alcopop 53.5kg; Linton 52kg, Holberg 53.5kg, Drunken Sailor 53kg, Eastern Aria M Johnston 51.5kg, No Wine No Song 53kg, Capecover 52.5kg, Valdemoro 50kg, Above Average 51.5kg, Moudre 51kg, Exceptionally, Maluckyday, Cedarberg, Mr Charlie, Sea Galleon 50kg.

Not passed ballot clause: Count Encosta, Stanstill, My Bentley, Gothic Crown 50kg.