The Ballarat trainer, who has had four previous starters in the Melbourne Cup, has nominated globe-trotting stayer Dandino, six-year-olds Count Of Limonade and Zanteca, talented import Lord Van Percy, lightly-raced Master of Arts, Moonee Valley Cup winner Prince of Penzance, Adelaide Cup runner-up Taiyoo and reigning Country Racing Victoria horse of the year Tall Ship for the 2015 edition.

All are part of the overall 140 nominations that were revealed on Tuesday afternoon.

Weir is looking to better his second-placing with She’s Archie in the 2003 Melbourne Cup and Signoff’s fourth in last year’s event after he won the group 3 Lexus Stakes on the Saturday before the race.

Signoff has been ruled out for the spring with a leg injury following his eighth-placing in his first-up run since the Cup during April.

Ballarat/Caulfield trainer Robert Smerdon has nominated Launceston Cup victor Genuine Lad for the $6.2million 3200m feature.

Meanwhile, the place-getters from the 2014 Cup have all been entered for another crack at the prize, with winner Protectionist, three-time runner-up Red Cadeaux and third Who Shot Thebarman all being aimed at making the final field.

Entries for 31 internationally-trained horses have been received.

One of the more interesting nominations is for 10-year-old Precedence, who, like Red Cadeaux, is looking to reach a fifth Melbourne Cup. He is trained by Bart Cummings’ grandson James.

Weights for the race will be released on September 15, with first acceptances taken on October 6.