Racing: Rodd can now ride Caulfield favourite

Jockey Michael Rodd. Photo / Christine Cornege

Victorian jockey Michael Rodd will be able to ride favourite December Draw in the Caulfield Cup on October 15 after original topweight Americain was not among third declarations.

The French stayer remains entered for the Cox Plate, but trainer Alain De Royer-Dupre has elected not to use the Caulfield Cup as a lead-up to his Melbourne Cup title defence next month.

A total of 40 horses remained in the A$2.5 million Caulfield Cup on Tuesday with imports Midas Touch and My Kingdom Of Fife now the highest weighted on 55kg ahead of Hong Kong star Mighty High with 54.5kg.

Under the conditions of the race the topweight must carry a minimum of 57kg which means Rodd can continue his association with December Draw who is $2.70 favourite with Sportsbet.

The Mark Kavanagh-trained 6-year-old gelding has 52kg, a weight Rodd can't make, but will rise to 54kg for the 2400m feature.

The John Moore-trained Mighty High is one of six internationally-trained horses still in the Caulfield Cup alongside the Luca Cumani-trained quartet of Manighar, Drunken Sailor, Sahara Sun and Bauer and fellow UK-trained stayer Saptapadi for Brian Ellison.

Anthony Freedman's German import Lucas Cranach was also paid up for the race, however the Bart Cummings stable elected not to proceed with its German import Illo who is being aimed at the Geelong Cup on his way to the Melbourne Cup.

Trainer Robert Hickmott and owner Lloyd Williams' Macedon Lodge is the best represented stable with Midas Touch, Linton, Mourayan, At First Sight and Green Moon.

French raider Dunaden, who is also targeting the Geelong Cup on the way to Flemington, dropped out as did Lion Tamer, King's Rose, Rekindled Interest and Playing God.

A total of 14 internationally-trained horses remain in contention for the Melbourne Cup (3200m) after first acceptances were taken on Tuesday for the A$6 million event and eight of them sit inside the top 24-ranked horses.

English trainer Ed Dunlop, with Irish St Leger placegetter Red Cadeaux, and Frenchman Mikel Delzangles, who prepares Dunaden, are set to have their first Melbourne Cup runners.

Williams and his trainer Hickmott have kept six horses in the Cup - At First Sight, Green Moon, Linton, Midas Touch, Mourayan and Tanby - but did not pay up for 2009 Irish St Leger winner Alandi, who has failed to fire in five Australian starts.

- AAP