Dunaden (far side) edges out Red Cadeaux in last year’s Melbourne Cup

PICTURE: Getty Images, BY LEWIS PORTEOUS 7:49AM 4 SEP 2012

Australia: Dunaden and Red Cadeaux, first and second in a memorable Melbourne Cup last year, look set to renew their rivalry in this year’s race after both horses featured among 151 entries for Australia’s biggest race on Tuesday morning.

Dunaden is one of three previous winners among a quality entry, that also features 2010 hero Americain and the 2007 winner Efficient.

Luca Cumani is again chasing a first win in the race after ante-post favourite Mount Athos was joined by stablemates Ibicenco and Quest For Peace.

Cumani has saddled Bauer and Purple Moon to finish second in the race in the past

Also among 23 overseas entries is Gold Cup hero Colour Vision, one of four entries for Godolphin trainer Saeed Bin Suroor, who also has Ebor winner Willing Foe, Lost In The Moment and Cavalryman entered for the November 6 showdown.

Irish trainer Dermot Weld has tasted success in the race twice with Vintage Crop and Media Puzzle and the best of his three entries appears to be Galileo’s Choice.

Marco Botti and John Gosden have entered Jakkalberry and Gatewood, while Black Caviar’s trainer Peter Moody has made nine entries, including the former Cumani-trained Manighar.

This year’s entry is down from 163 last year and 253 in 2010, while the overseas entry is down two from 25 last year.

Despite the decline, Racing Victoria’s Leigh Jordon, whose job it is to scout the world for prospective runners, told AAP: “The international entry we’ve received really stamps the Melbourne Cup as the staying championship of the world.”

Mount Athos heads William Hill’s market at 10-1.

06 Nov 2012