After being ruled out of a Caulfield Cup shot this weekend, the Lloyd Williams-owned import Sea Moon has been nominated for the Geelong Cup 2013 in Melbourne next Wednesday, October 23.

Sea Moon is unlikely to accept for the 2013 Geelong Cup with their big weight. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia.

The Beat Hollow stallion has been first past the post in their two most recent runs, but was regulated to second upon protest in the Listed The Bart Cummings (2520m) on October 5.

Sea Moon atoned seven days later however carrying a hefty 59.5kg to victory in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) last Saturday.

Despite that win guaranteeing them a run in this Saturday’s $2.5 million Group 1 BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m), owners at Team Williams opted not to run them for the third consecutive weekend.

Instead they will likely press on with a $6.2 million Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) bid for Tuesday November 5 by running in next week’s $300,000 Group 3 Sportingbet Geelong Cup (2400m).

Always an intriguing Melbourne Cup lead-up, this year’s Geelong Cup drew a bumper 26 nominations.

The Geelong Racing Club (GRC) are hoping then it attracts a final field of at least a dozen acceptors instead of the dismal seven runners it managed 12 months ago.

“Overall its pretty good,” Paul Carrroll from the GRC said of the numbers.

“From that group you’d think you would get 12 to 14 from the nominations.”

Seven of those are from owner Lloyd Williams and his head trainer Robert Hickmott, including Sea Moon.

Sea Moon is already in the better half of the Melbourne Cup betting markets thanks to their Herbert Power win, paying $21 to win the ‘race that stops a nation’ with odds led by last year’s runner-up Fiorente ($5.50).

The Geelong Cup – Melbourne Cup double was achieved just two years ago by French raider Dunaden.

Sea Moon is far from a confirmed Geelong Cup acceptor however as they have been allocated a hefty 62.5kg topweight, their withdrawal to compress the weights.

Sea Moon is followed in the Geelong Cup nominations and weights then by four of their stablemates with Mourayan (60kg), Seville (60kg), Masked Marvel (59.5kg) and Fawkner (59kg).

Like Sea Moon last start Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) winner Seville and the in-form Masked Marvel are also paying $21 to win the Melbourne Cup next month.

The next best in Melbourne Cup betting out of all the Geelong Cup nominees is then last start Turnbull Stakes third placed Fawkner ($26), an unlikely acceptor as they run in the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.

The other horses in the Williams – Hickmott Geelong Cup contingent this year are then 2011 Geelong Cup minor placegett Tanby (57.5kg) and Massiyn (55kg).

Anthony Freedman’s German import Waldpark meanwhile has been nominated for the Geelong Cup but would be racing twice in four days if accepted, like Fawkner, as they are a $31 chance in Saturday’s Caulfield Cup.

All four of the Caulfield Cup emergencies are also among the Geelong Cup entries with Nicky Henderson’s European Forgotten Voice, Sneak A Peek, Ibicenco (scratched from this weekend already) and Herbert Power runner-up Oasis Bloom.

“There is a few in there nominated for the Caulfield Cup, Carroll said.

“Forgotten Voice and Sneak A Peak may miss runs in the Caulfield Cup and could come here.

“It’s got a good size field, nice quality and some local hopes with Sertorius and possibly Crafty Cruiser.”

The other notable Geelong Cup hopes then include local star Sertorius, the Torquay-based Crafty Cruiser and last year’s third placegetter Brigantin.

The official 2013 Geelong Cup field and barrier draw are due for release on Monday and will be published right here at Races.com.au so stay tuned.

In the meantime why not enjoy a punt on the Caulfield Cup this weekend at Ladbrokes.com.au where you’ll get DOUBLE THE ODDS on the spring major.

2013 Geelong Cup Nominations & Weights

Geelong Racecourse – 23/10/2013