Can a horse trained in Scotland win a Melbourne Cup?
Scotsman Iain Jardine has taken up the challenge of winning Australia's greatest race in 2017 with Nakeeta, who is one of 31 internationals among the 140 nominations for this year's Melbourne Cup.
Racing Victoria noted Jardine is the first trainer based in Scotland to have a Melbourne Cup nomination but Nakeeta showed his ability with his win in the Ebor Handicap at York last weekend.
Horses trained in Japan, France, Germany, England and Ireland are again in contention for the $6.25 million prize after entries closed on Tuesday.
Last year's winning owner Lloyd Williams has entered 12 stayers in the Melbourne Cup under his Macedon Lodge banner while Darren Weir, who won the 2015 cup with Prince Of Penzance has 20 entries.
Godolphin's overseas trainers Charlie Appleby and Saeed bin Suroor have eight nominations between them, including Appleby's returning pair Francis Of Assisi and Qewy, both of which won races during last year's carnival.
German trainer Andreas Wohler will chase a second Melbourne Cup success after entering the Australian Bloodstock-syndicated Red Cardinal and Sixties Groove, a winner of three of 12 starts, for the event.
Champion Irish horseman Aidan O'Brien has nominated Order of St George, who is part owned by Williams, Johannes Vermeer and US Army Ranger while his compatriot Willie Mullins has three entries with Thomas Hobson, Wicklow Brave and the 2015 runner-up Max Dynamite.
Japanese trainer Noriyuki Jori has nominated Albert, who finished fifth in the Tenno Sho Spring (3200m) at his last run on April 30.
Click here to view the 2017 Melbourne Cup nominations with form.
