WILLIE Mullins could have three runners in the Emirates Melbourne Cup on Tuesday with Max Dynamite (14th in the order of entry) and Wicklow Brave (16) safely inside the field of 24 on ballot order and Thomas Hobson (26) on the cusp after second acceptances earlier in the week.

Qewy (22) will not run and and Gallante (20) is listed as unlikely, opening the door for Thomas Hobson and the Mick Kent-trained Abbey Marie (25), a A$300,000 Dermot Farrington Bloodstock purchase at the 2014 Inglis Easter Yearling sales.

The joker in the pack however, is the winner of today’s 2,500-metre Lexus Stakes who has the opportunity to leap-frog into the race with eight of the 10 Lexus starters currently being Melbourne Cup acceptors.

Still in play for a Cup start are; Harlem (27), Aloft (28), Vengeur Masque (30), Pentathlon (31) Cismontane (=33), Kellstorm (=33), Guardini (35) and Alward (36).

At present Kellstorm and Harlem are the pre-post favourites.

On the Mullins horses, riders are booked. “Thomas (Hobson) will be ridden by Joao Moreira, Zac Purton will ride Max Dynamite and that would change if Thomas didn’t get in,” said David Casey.

“Joao would go to ride Max Dynamite and Zac would go to Wicklow Brave.” added Casey who took Thomas Hobson and Max Dynamite to Flemington on Tuesday to work the course proper.

“Both got on fine and both worked well. They went separately because I wanted Max (Dynamite) to do more than Thomas (Hobson).

“Thomas has had a long season and he is as fit as the hand of God but Max hasn’t. He just needed a blow-out with him. I’m delighted with both of them,” said Casey.

Cup day weather

Conditions look like they will be cool with perhaps a few showers about leading up to Cup day. Although there are the chances of showers each day now till Cup day, no heavy rain is forecast.

The day is likely to be cool with a southerly breeze blowing which usually brings in colder air in Melbourne.