With the first declarations made for Australia’s favourite racing carnival yesterday, the entries for the renowned Melbourne Cup race on Tuesday November 3 were cut to 141 from 229, compared to 167 remaining this time last year.

Notable entrants out of contention for the $5.5 million Melbourne Cup include Nom De Jeu, runner-up in last year’s Caulfield Cup. Still due to run in the Cox Plate, Nom De Jeu will not run in either of the Spring Carnival’s major Cups after suffering discomfort and pain in his bones after an injury in the autumn that disallow him from galloping.

Only 18 international horses are left standing, after 20 were cut from Augusts’ first nominations. Some of the overseas entrants who were unsuccessful at this first declaration stage include Japanese duo Spring Burrell and Hokko Pas de Chat, and three Godolphin entrants Age of Reason, Friston Forest and Schiaparelli. Godolphin still have four horses left in the Melbourne Cup, Eastern Anthem, Kirklees, Crime Scene and Sugar Ray.

Early favourite in the betting markets, Rebel Raider was ruled out earlier this month after leg injuries, along with 2007 Queensland Derby winner Empires Choice who will also miss this year’s Melbourne Cup due to injury.

Another omission from the Melbourne Cup is last autumn’s Rosehill and Randwick Guineas winner Metal Bender, also out with an injury.

Two of Bart Cumming’s entrants, God’s Hand and Javasea, are also out of Cups contention. Cumming’s still has a shot at his 13th Melbourne Cup victory with his horses Allez Wonder, Dandaad, Joe Blow, Naval Escort, Precedence, Roman Emperor, Think Money and perhaps his best chance Viewed all still in the running.

Profound Beauty trained by Dermot Weld who placed fifth last year, now shares Melbourne Cup odds favouritism with Danny O’Brien-trained Vigour, who won the 1600m Makybe Diva Stakes over the weekend. As the only European trainer to taste Cup success, he has also so far managed to keep his other two horses in contention this year, Kirecta King and Ghimaar.

Entrants for the other two major races in the Spring Carnival, The Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate, have also been reduced. 120 horses remain in contention for the Caulfield Cup, down 16 from this stage last year. The Cox Plate field now sits at 100, after 96 horses were cut, four less left than last year.

Complete List of Nominations Omitted From Melbourne Cup First Declarations:

Activation, Age Of Reason, Alessandro Volta, Alexander Of Hales, Askar Tau, Berlioz, Betwixt, Bid Spotter, Brand New Pair, Buccellati, Centurytwentyone, Coniston Bluebird, Court Vision, Cuchurita, Desert Sea, Doctor Fremantle, Driffield Gold, Egyptian Lova, Elmore, Emblem Of Liberty, Empires Choice, Field Hunter, Fitoussi, Friston Forest, Galileo’s Daughter, God’s Hand, Hatton Flight, Hazeldon, He’s Under The Gun, Helogen, Hoddo Pas de Chat, Indio Glorioso, Irazu, Jacala, Javasea, Journey, Judgethemoment, Keepin’ the Dream, King Of Rome, La Zeel, Ladies Best, Lord Edmund, Lord Tavistock, Macarthur, Macknuckle, Malela, Marchelle Belle, Mateo, Metal Bender, Midnight Wine, My Central, My Scotsgrey, Netanyahu, Neugine, Mod du Jeu, Nothin’ Leica King, Oakmont, Obvious Choice, Orion Star, Orphan Hoaks, Our Bill, Our Cannavaro, Our Easy Ryder, Paddy O’Reilly, Palm Trilogy, Pointilliste, Pre Eminence, Princess Pulse, Purple, Rebel Rainder, Rockhampton, Samburu Warrior, Scenic Bullet, Schiaparelli, Scintillo, Scouting Wide, Snake Gully, Spare a Dime, Spring Burrell, Stakhanovite, Stalingrad, Straight Edge, Supremem Quality, Three Orion, Triple Honour, Volia Ici, Why Wouldya, Ya Still Wonder, Yallingup, Zacroona, and Zaquinta.