TOTAL of 151 horses remain in contention for the historic 150th Emirates Melbourne Cup, but 2007 winner Efficient is not amongst them following today’s closure of first acceptances.

The Robert Hickmott-trained and Lloyd Williams-owned super stayer did not feature amongst the acceptors for the $6m Melbourne Cup (3200m), $2.5m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) and $3m Tatts Cox Plate (2040m).

THE Australian Jockey Club notes Patinack Farm’s announcement today that they are moving their operations out of Warwick Farm with some surprise as an offer was made last week for us to further consider options together.  This offer remains open.

In regards to the Randwick stables, the AJC has no current vacancies.  In our discussions regarding the new stabling complex we have committed to offering current Randwick trainers the opportunity to take a position within these stables.  If they choose not to take up that offer the AJC would welcome an application from Patinack Farm.

MELBOURNE Cup heroine Makybe Diva has joined another elite club after tonight being elevated to Legend status in the Australian Racing Hall of Fame.

The only horse to win three Cups, Makybe Diva joins immortals Phar Lap (2007), Bart Cummings (2008) and Scobie Breasley (2009) as those bestowed racing’s highest honour.

VICTORIAN RACING'S glamour girl Typhoon Tracy was tonight named the 2010 Sky Racing World Australian Racehorse of the Year at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium.

The Peter Moody-trained mare, who enjoyed a stellar four-year-old season winning four Group 1 races across two states, was a runaway winner of the coveted title.

THE coveted title of 2010 Sky Racing World Australian Racehorse of the Year will be bestowed this Sunday night at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium.

A galaxy of stars are in contention for the award which is voted on by senior racing administrators from all Australian principal racing authorities and metropolitan racing clubs, along with members of the Australian Racing Writers' Association.

FIVE-TIME-time Group 1 winner Theseo and Warwick Stakes winner Metal Bender  head a glamour field of nine starters in the $175,000 Group 2 Tattersalls Club Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick this Saturday.

The weight-for-age over the classic Randwick Mile will also see Triple Honour, Purple and No Wine No Song continue their build up for The Metropolitan after acceptances closed today.

A PAIR of Lloyd Williams-owned stayers head the weights for the 2010 BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) which were released today by Racing Victoria Chief Handicapper Greg Carpenter.

Williams’ champion stayers from different hemispheres, 2007 Melbourne Cup winner Efficient and Europe’s dominant stayer of 2009 Alandi, have each been allocated 58kg and have the honour of heading the handicaps for both Cups.

ALL eight races including the $175,000 Group 2 Tattersalls Club Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) will be run on the course proper this Saturday, the Australian Jockey Club confirmed today.

“We have moved the rail out by eight metres from the 1000m mark to the winning post in consultation with Chief Steward Ray Murrihy,” Mr Pearce said.