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The make-up of key feature races during the Spring Racing Carnival continued to take shape today when Racing Victoria took the next round of acceptances for the Carnival’s biggest races.

A total of 41 horses, including a record seven internationally-trained visitors, remain in contention for a start in the $3 million Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup (2400m) on 18 October following the closure of third acceptances.

The same number of horses are also vying for a start in the Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on 25 October after third acceptances were also taken for the $3 million weight-for-age championship of Australia.

Meanwhile, the dream of an Emirates Melbourne Cup start remains alive for the connections of 72 horses with first acceptances taken today for the $6.2 million feature at Flemington on 4 November, as they were for the $1 million Sportingbet Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night, 24 October.