THE connections of Caulfield Cup fancies Moudre, Precedence and Linton were hoping yesterday's third declarations would bring some definite news about their cup prospects, and so it did: Win on Saturday or perish, reports The Age.It says: Just 41 horses were left in the race for the Caulfield Cup yesterday, but a spot in the final field of 18 still seems an eternity away for Linton (equal 25th), Precedence (26th) and Moudre (eq 27th). The trio are likely to clash in the Herbert Power Stakes (240

THE connections of Caulfield Cup fancies Moudre, Precedence and Linton were hoping yesterday's third declarations would bring some definite news about their cup prospects, and so it did: Win on Saturday or perish, reports The Age.

It says: Just 41 horses were left in the race for the Caulfield Cup yesterday, but a spot in the final field of 18 still seems an eternity away for Linton (equal 25th), Precedence (26th) and Moudre (eq 27th). The trio are likely to clash in the Herbert Power Stakes (2400 metres) on Saturday, and the winner will be guaranteed a run the following Saturday in the Caulfield Cup.

They are also entered for Saturday's Yalumba Stakes, which also gives the winner a cup start, but in that race they would be faced with the daunting task of beating So You Think and Whobegotyou at weight-for-age. A Herbert Power placing for either Linton or Moudre would push them past the first elimination clause for the Melbourne Cup.

The trio are so highly fancied that if one of them wins the Herbert Power they will challenge Metal Bender for Caulfield Cup favouritism.

The Caulfield Cup is likely to have as many as four international gallopers - Mr Medici, Tokai Trick, Manighar and possibly Drunken Sailor. The French horse Americain was not among the declarations yesterday, as he will go to the Melbourne Cup via the Geelong Cup.

The race for the $6 million Melbourne Cup is down to just 78 horses after second declarations. Owner Lloyd Williams, who began his pursuit of a fourth Melbourne Cup with 21 entries, has six remaining - C'est La Guerre, Linton, Mourayan, Muir, Rundle and Zipping.

The $3 million Cox Plate on October 23 is down to just 24 horses after third declarations, but there were no surprises among those to drop out.