There will be 24 runners in the 2010 Melbourne Cup Field, with the final list of participating horses to be released during the celebrations of Victoria Derby Day on Saturday, October 30.

Currently 151 stayers from around the globe are still in contention for a spot in the 150^th Melbourne Cup final field after first declarations were taken on September 7.

After the list of Melbourne Cup nominations were cut down at first declaration stage, online bookmaker Sportsbet have last year’s winner Shocking as the $8 favourite to win again on Tuesday November 2 at Flemington.

• There are 24 Melbourne Cup Runners each year
• Melbourne Cup Runners are released on Victoria Derby Day
• Horses can automatically qualify as a Melbourne Cup Runner by winning certain races
• Melbourne Cup Runners must meet a set criteria
• Conditions of Melbourne Cup Runners includes having earned a minimum amount of prize money

Melbourne Cup runners are a special breed of horse as they most posses the ability to last the testing two mile (3200m) distance of the iconic race as well as pass certain qualifications.

Leading up to the marquee race of the annual Melbourne Cup Carnival, the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) that runs the Melbourne Cup release continually updating orders of entry.

The Melbourne Cup ballot orders all of the horses entered for the famous handicap feature according to their chance of making the field of acceptances.

Horses hoping for a run in the Melbourne Cup must meet set criteria including having won a specified amount of prize money and placed or won in internationally recognised races of a certain status.

Melbourne Cup runners can receive a ballot exemption via races including the Victoria Derby, Mackinnon Stakes, Cox Plate or Caulfield Cup in Australia as well as overseas events such as the Irish St Leger or Japan’s Tenno Sho.

Races that Carry a Melbourne Cup Ballot Exemption:

• VRC The Lexus Stakes
• VRC AAMI Victoria Derby
• VRC Mackinnon Stakes
• MVRC Cox Plate
• MRC Calfield Cup
• Irish St Leger (IRE)
• Tenno Sho (Spring) (JPN)
• ARB Australian Stayers Challenge

Currently just one horse has earned automatic entry into the 2010 Melbourne Cup, British raider Sans Frontieres after winning this year’s Irish St Leger.

Find out the latest 2010 Melbourne Cup Ballot to see what horses have passed the first elimination clause by following the link.

Stay up to date with the latest news and form of the Melbourne Cup runners by bookmarking us here at Races.com.au.

Now is the perfect time to get your early Melbourne Cup Betting selections in at a generous quote, so visit Ladbrokes.com.au and make sure you get the best possible price this spring!