Melbourne Cup champion Americain will not run in this year's Caulfield Cup

Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Americain has not accepted for this year’s $2.5 million Caulfield Cup.

The third declarations, which were released earlier today, revealed that the six-year-old will give up a run in the Caulfield Cup in favour of a possible run in the Group 2 Caulfield Stakes on the same day.

The non-attendance of Americain will now provide jockey Michael Rodd with the opportunity to continue his partnership with last start Turnbull Stakes winner December Draw.

This is due to the two kilogram weight increase that will now apply due to Americain’s absence.

December Draw will now carry 54 kilograms for the race in which he currently holds the top ballot number.

The Medecis gelding earned an exemption from the Caulfield Cup ballot with his Group 3 Naturalism Stakes win.

Robert Hickmott’s Midas Touch, Chris Waller’s My Kingdom Of Fife and Danny O’Brien’s Shamrocker currently share the second position in the Caulfield Cup order of entry.

Midas Touch finished third behind December Draw last start and shares the top weight of 57 kilograms with My Kingdom Of Fife.

While My Kingdom Of Fife is currently being targeted at the $3 million Cox Plate, jockey Nash Rawiller believes he is perfectly suited to the Group 1 Caulfield Cup.

“I’ve always believed he is (a Cox Plate horse) but if I’m being honest, if he can get him fit enough I reckon he’s an ideal Caulfield Cup horse,” Rawiller said.

Presently equal eighth in the ballot order, trainer Graeme Rogerson is confident about the chances of Shootoff, who finished second to My Kingdom Of Fife in last weekend’s Group 3 Craven Plate.

“He went good. He was third-up and he will improve going into his next run in the Caulfield Cup,” Rogerson said.

This latest round of declarations has seen the field reduced from 80 Caulfield Cup hopefuls to just 40.