A record 49 foreign-trained horses, including the Japanese runners which finished first and second last year, have been nominated for this year's Melbourne Cup.

Almost one-fifth of the 256 nominations for the race are prepared outside of Australia and New Zealand, strengthening organisers' claims the Melbourne Cup is now one of the world's great international races.

This year's Melbourne Cup will be run at Flemington racecourse on November 6. The handicap weights for the race will be issued on September 3 but only 22 horses will get a start.

Athletics

World marathon champion Paula Radcliffe will not be defending her title in Japan next month, UK Athletics said yesterday.

Radcliffe, who gave birth to a baby daughter in January, had initially been intending to compete at the World Championships being held in Osaka from August 25 to September 2.

Now, the Beijing Olympics will be the prime target for the British runner, who is also the marathon world record holder.

Boxing

Thai flyweight Pongsaklek Wongjongkam is planning to regain his WBC title from Daisuke Naito by the end of this year following his shock defeat to the Japanese fighter.

Pongsaklek (65-3), who made a division record 17 straight title defences before being stunned by Naito in Tokyo last month, is looking for a re-match in December.

Pongsaklek has already been assured of a place in the WBC's Hall of Fame after he hangs up his gloves.

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