Defending champion Southern Speed heads the list of horses still in contention for the 2012 BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) following the closure of first acceptances today for the $2.5m feature.The South Australian mare, who made a triumphant return to Victoria last weekend for co-trainers Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas with victory in the Group 2 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, is one of 116 first acceptors - just one less than in 2011.Also among the acceptances for the 20 October featur

Defending champion Southern Speed heads the list of horses still in contention for the 2012 BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) following the closure of first acceptances today for the $2.5m feature.

The South Australian mare, who made a triumphant return to Victoria last weekend for co-trainers Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas with victory in the Group 2 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington, is one of 116 first acceptors - just one less than in 2011.

Also among the acceptances for the 20 October feature are three Emirates Melbourne Cup winners, Dunaden (2011), Americain (2010) and Efficient (2007), together with nine internationally-trained horses - one more than at the same stage 12 months ago.

Joining Dunaden (Mikel Delzangles) and Americain (Alain de Royer Dupre) amongst the international acceptors is the latter's stablemate Shahwardi, Brigantin (Andre Fabre), Gatewood (John Gosden), Jakkalberry (Marco Botti) and the Luca Cumani-trained trio Ibicenco, Quest For Peace and Mount Athos.

French pair Prairie Star and Tac de Boistron, who will join Australian trainers Danny O'Brien and Mick Kent respectively upon their arrival in Australia at month's end, are also first acceptors.

Peter Moody has kept his options open by paying up for Makybe Diva Stakes runner-up Manighar - a leading contender for the Sportingbet Cox Plate, while trainer Robert Hickmott and owner Lloyd Williams have done likewise with nominal Cup favourite Green Moon.

Trainer Gai Waterhouse has accepted with her emerging trio Glencadam Gold, Julienas and Strawberry Boy, with last year's unplaced favourite December Draw, fellow comeback horse Moudre and highly rated imports Winchester, Voila Ici, Mawingo and Sanagas also still in contention.

Unfortunately for hosts the Melbourne Racing Club, last year's Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux has been withdrawn from the race with trainer Ed Dunlop to concentrate solely on the Flemington feature, whilst another key international target, the Roger Varian-trained Sri Putra, has succumbed to a foot abscess.

As expected boom three-year-old fillies Atlantic Jewel (injured) and Mosheen were not amongst the first acceptors, whilst Memsie Stakes winner Sincero and New Zealand talent Ocean Park are being reserved for the weight-for-age Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m).

Second acceptances for the Caulfield Cup will be taken at 12 noon on Tuesday, 25 September.