Below we have the likely Melbourne Cup 2021 field ahead of Saturday afternoon’s final acceptances at 4:30pm (AEDT) following the news that UK raider Spanish Mission has passed his third examination and has been cleared to run and trainer Chris Waller will run his Australian Racehorse of the Year Verry Elleegant.

Verry Elleegant will be accepted into the 2021 Melbourne Cup final field. Photo: Steve Hart.

The 161st edition of the ‘race that stops a nation’ is due to run as Flemington Race 7 at 3:00pm (AEDT) on Tuesday, November 2nd, and the make-up of the 24 Melbourne Cup horses for the $8 million showdown is taking shape.

A decision was made around 3:30pm (AEDT) on Saturday by Waller confirming Verry Elleegant will run, jockey James McDonald securing that mount after his original ride Away He Went was withdrawn earlier in the week due to a tendon injury.

“Following a nice piece of work this morning with James McDonald in the saddle, we have made the decision to run Verry Elleegant on Tuesday in the Melbourne Cup with James booked to ride,” the stable confirmed on Twitter.

Also 50/50 to line up in the Group 1 two-mile classic at HQ this year was Andrew Balding‘s UK raider Spanish Mission who has been under an injury cloud all week.

The last start Lonsdale Cup runner-up was re-examined for a third time early on Saturday afternoon Racing Victoria vets after suffering from swelling in his leg.

Trainer Tony Noonan has been looking after the horse in Australia and confirmed Spanish Mission had been treated overnight with antibiotics for a minor skin infection.

The confirmation that Spanish Mission has passed fit to run has seen the raider firm back into $7 second favouritism in the markets at Ladbrokes.com.au.

Waller could be represented by four horses in the Melbourne Cup field after his Newcastle Gold Cup winner Great House won today’s ‘win and you’re in’ Melbourne Cup ballot-exempt Group 3 Lexus Hotham Stakes (2500m).

Great House was already 24th on the order of entry but further secured his position denying a trio of other Cup-nominated stayers victory and will be ridden in his Grand Final by Michael Dee.

The Lexus Stakes results also saw Fun Fact fade to finish dead last and trainer Bjorn Baker subsequently confirm the grey’s non-acceptance for next Tuesday.

Fun Fact was 22nd on the order of entry prior to their withdrawal, paving the way for the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Floating Artist who was 25th on the ballot to secure a run with Teo Nugent securing the ride.

Click here for the latest all-in Melbourne Cup betting odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.

2021 Melbourne Cup Field