There is now less than two weeks to go before the 2010 Melbourne Cup ‘stops the nation’ on Tuesday November 2, and with a number of star international horses still outside the top 28 horses on the order of entry the fight to make the field for the world’s richest handicap is now on.

Seven overseas raiders including Dermot Weld’s classy mare Profound Beauty, Hong Kong galloper Mr Medici, Japan’s Tokai Trick and French stayer Americain may have secured a spot in the 24-horse Melbourne Cup field this year, but there are still four international runners that are in danger of missing the famous Flemington feature.

International Horses Assured of 2010 Melbourne Cup Run:

• Campanologist (5^th)
• Profound Beauty (8^th)
• Mr Medici (9^th)
• Illustrious Blue (11^th)
• Tokai Trick (12^th)
• Americain (13^th)
• Manighar (20^th )

International Entries in Danger of Missing out on 2010 Melbourne Cup Run:

• Bauer (24^th)
• Holberg (30^th)
• Drunken Sailor (31^st)
• Eastern Aria (32^nd)

Just four races remain leading-up to the 150^th Melbourne Cup offering a ballot exemption for the $6 million showdown.

The winner and placegetters from this Saturday’s Cox Plate, as well as the winner of the Victoria Derby, Mackinnon Stakes and Lexus Stakes the following week can all earn a Melbourne Cup run.

Connections of 2008 Melbourne Cup runner-up Bauer will be holding their breath for the results of these events as the eight-year-old grey is on the border of getting into the line-up, currently sitting 24^th in the Melbourne Cup order of entry.

Bauer, back in the racing spotlight following a two year injury-induced spell after their Melbourne Cup run two years ago, is not scheduled to race again before the 2010 Melbourne Cup meaning he could be pushed out of contention.

Bauer’s stablemate, the fellow Luca Cumani-trained runner Drunken Sailor, was unable to move up the ballot on Wednesday after failing in their Australian debut.

The six-year-old gelding ran in the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2406m), but finished a disappointing 11^th to Americain.

Drunken Sailor injured his near fore hoof in the Geelong Cup, the area left bloodied after the run with a minor nick in the coronet band detected.

The injury will not deter Cumani from pursuing another avenue to get Drunken Sailor into the Melbourne Cup this year, the horse having been given the all clear from Racing Victoria vets to continue his spring campaign.

The UK stayer will be entered in the Group 2 The Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington on Derby Day in a final bid to make the top 24.

Other internationals in limbo are the Godolphin-owned duo of Holberg (30^th) and Eastern Aria (32^nd).

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