Six international entries remain in contention after the closure of second acceptances for the $3.15 million Caulfield Cup.
A total of 81 horses were declared for a start in the Caulfield Cup on October 17 while 73 horses, including five internationals, are still eligible for a start in the $3 million WS Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 24.
“Only six of the top 50 ranked horses in the BMW Caulfield Cup were withdrawn which means that the scene is being set for an outstanding renewal in 2015, one which is looking increasingly difficult for many horses to obtain a start,” said Racing Victoria’s executive general manager Greg Carpenter.
Second acceptances for the Caulfield Cup rose from 78 to 81 year-on-year, with the race record of four internationally-trained starters a possibility to be matched this year with two internationals already in Melbourne and another four due to arrive on Saturday.
The international second acceptors are Hardwicke Stakes winner Snow Sky, Ascot Gold Cup winner Trip To Paris, Lonsdale Cup winner Max Dynamite, Northumberland Plate winner Quest For More and Japanese stars Fame Game and Hokko Brave, who are in training at the Werribee International Horse Centre.
The notable withdrawals were Contributer, Fenway, Noble Protector and Prince Of Penzance who were all second acceptors for the Cox Plate only.
Second acceptances for the Cox Plate have risen from 67 in 2014 to 73 this year and includes five internationally-trained runners horses – the same as 2014 - in Arod, Highland Reel, Gailo Chop, Lightning Spear and Ol’ Man River.
Fawkner (second), Foreteller (fifth), Happy Trails (sixth), Criterion (seventh), The Cleaner (ninth) and Royal Descent (12th) are the locally-trained runners from the 2014 edition that feature among today’s second acceptances.
Joining them are nine three-year-olds including the colts Mr Individual, Press Statement and Snoopy and the fillies Jameka and Payroll.
The most notable withdrawals were the Aidan O’Brien-trained Cougar Mountain and the Cups contenders Dandino, Precedence and Set Square.
Third acceptances for the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate will be taken at 12 noon on October 6.
Second acceptances were also taken on Tuesday for $1 million Caulfield Guineas and $500,000 Thousand Guineas with those races attracting 48 and 53 declarations respectively.
Four late entries were also received for the $500,000 Caulfield Classic. They are Etymology (John O’Shea), Kia Ora Koutou (Adam Durrant), Nurburgring (Mick Price) and Schopenhauer (Craig Ritchie).
