Brits cleared for Melbourne Australia today lifted its ban on British horses directly entering the country, introduced to counteract foot-and-mouth disease.So the likes of Royal Rebel, Persian Punch and Rainbow High are free to challenge for November`s Melbourne Cup, which has attracted runners from Britain in each of the last eight years.But horses from Britain must abide by a series of strict protocols before arrival in Australia.They will have to go through a two-week pre-export quarantine in a facility at least 10km away from the nearest foot-and-mouth infected property.Horses and their equipment are to be disinfected, while staff movement in the pre-quarantine area will be restricted.Entries for the Melbourne Cup close on August 1st. Irish star Vintage Crop is the only horse from the northern hemisphere to triumph in the race - winning in 1993.A total of 18 British-trained horses have run in the two-mile handicap in the past eight years, with Godolphin`s 1999 runner-up Central Park coming closest to success.
