The final field for Tuesday's Melbourne Cup has been finalised with Rose Of Virginia clinching the last position in the famous race.
The Victoria Racing Club committee met after the last race on Derby Day to discuss the merits of the field and whether they would use discretionary powers to make change to the ballot order.
And while Rose Of Virginia disappointed in the Lexus Stakes, beaten more than 15 lengths by Oceanographer, VRC Chairman Michael Burn said there wasn't a compelling reason to take the mare out of the field of 24.
Vengeur Masque was next in line for a start in the Melbourne Cup, followed by Lexus Stakes runner-up Tom Melbourne and De Little Engine.
Hartnell was favourite for the Melbourne Cup pre-barrier draw, with impressive Lexus Stakes winner Oceanographer on the second line of betting.
The Charlie Appleby-trained runner was penalised 1kg for his Lexus victory and moves to 51kg in the handicap.
Weights will be raised 1kg to ensure a minimum top weight of 57kg, resulting in Our Ivanhowe and Big Orange being the highest-rated horses in the handicap.
The New Zealand bred horses in the 2016 running of the race will be Who Shot Thebarman (Yamanin Vital), Pentathlon (Pentire), and Rose of Virginia (Thorn Park).-racing.com
The Victoria Racing Club committee met after the last race on Derby Day to discuss the merits of the field and whether they would use discretionary powers to make change to the ballot order.
And while Rose Of Virginia disappointed in the Lexus Stakes, beaten more than 15 lengths by Oceanographer, VRC Chairman Michael Burn said there wasn't a compelling reason to take the mare out of the field of 24.
Vengeur Masque was next in line for a start in the Melbourne Cup, followed by Lexus Stakes runner-up Tom Melbourne and De Little Engine.
Hartnell was favourite for the Melbourne Cup pre-barrier draw, with impressive Lexus Stakes winner Oceanographer on the second line of betting.
The Charlie Appleby-trained runner was penalised 1kg for his Lexus victory and moves to 51kg in the handicap.
Weights will be raised 1kg to ensure a minimum top weight of 57kg, resulting in Our Ivanhowe and Big Orange being the highest-rated horses in the handicap.
The New Zealand bred horses in the 2016 running of the race will be Who Shot Thebarman (Yamanin Vital), Pentathlon (Pentire), and Rose of Virginia (Thorn Park).-racing.com
| No | Horse | Weight | Trainer | Barrier |
| 1 | Big Orange | 57kg | Michael Bell | 7 |
| 2 | Our Ivanhowe | 57kg | Lee and Anthony Freedman | 6 |
| 3 | Curren Mirotic | 56.5kg | Osamu Hirata | 18 |
| 4 | Bondi Beach | 56kg | Aidan 'O Brien | 5 |
| 5 | Exospheric | 56kg | Lee and Anthony Freedman | 13 |
| 6 | Hartnell | 56kg | John O'Shea | 12 |
| 7 | Who Shot Thebarman | 56kg | Chris Waller | 20 |
| 8 | Wicklow Brave | 56kg | Willie Mullins | 24 |
| 9 | Amoonqith | 54.5kg | David and B Hayes and Tom Dabernig | 19 |
| 10 | Gallante | 54.5kg | Robert Hickmott | 2 |
| 11 | Grand Marshal | 54.5kg | Chris Waller | 9 |
| 12 | Jameka | 54.5kg | Ciaron Maher | 3 |
| 13 | Heartbreak City | 54kg | Tony Martin | 23 |
| 14 | Sir John Hawkwood | 54kg | John P Thompson | 14 |
| 15 | Excess Knowledge | 53.5kg | Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott | 21 |
| 16 | Beautiful Romance | 52.5kg | Saeed bin Suroor | 1 |
| 17 | Almandin | 52kg | Robert Hickmott | 17 |
| 18 | Assign | 52kg | Robert Hickmott | 22 |
| 19 | Grey Lion | 52kg | Matt Cumani | 16 |
| 20 | Oceanographer | 52kg | Charlie Appleby | 11 |
| 21 | Secret Number | 52kg | Saeed bin Suroor | 10 |
| 22 | Pentathlon | 51.5kg | John Wheeler | 4 |
| 23 | Qewy | 51.5kg | Charlie Appleby | 15 |
| 24 | Rose of Virginia | 51kg | Lee and Shannon Hope | 8 |