The race to secure a start in the $3 million Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup (2400m) and $3 million Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) remains a challenge with first acceptances for both races at their highest in the past decade, repoerts Racing Victoria.
First acceptances for the Spring Racing Carnival features, to be run on consecutive Saturdays in October, closed today with heightened interest from here and abroad.
The full list of first acceptances for the Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup are available here.
The full list of first acceptances for the Sportingbet Cox Plate are available here.
The full list of first acceptances for the BECK Caulfield Guineas are available here.
The full list of first acceptances for the Schweppes Thousand Guineas are available here.
The full list of first acceptances for the Catanach's Jewellers Blue Sapphire Stakes are available here.
First acceptances for the Caulfield Cup, to be run on 18 October at Caulfield, have risen to 121 from 98 last year. The number of international first acceptors has also jumped significantly from seven to 16 horses.
The number of first acceptors for the Cox Plate, to be run on 25 October at Moonee Valley, has jumped from 90 to 110. International interest is also at a premium with 13 first acceptors, up from four in 2013.
Contenders for the three-year-old classics, the $1 million BECK Caulfield Guineas (1600m) and $500,000 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m), both to be run at Caulfield on 11 October, were refined today also with 108 first acceptors in the Caulfield Guineas and 84 fillies remaining in the Thousand Guineas.
$3 million Group 1 Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup (2400m) – Caulfield, Saturday, 18 October
Among the key international acceptors are Japanese pair Admire Rakti and Bande, 2013 runner-up Dandino and Marco Botti-trained stablemate Seismos, crowd favourite Red Cadeaux, German star Protectionist and talented UK mare Ambivalent.
Defending champion Fawkner, Sydney Cup winner The Offer and a trio of high class mares in Silent Achiever, Lucia Valentina and Rising Romance headline the Australasian acceptors.
The notable withdrawals were topweight Mukhadram and fellow internationals Cavalryman, Brown Panther and Mount Athos.
The order of entry for the world’s richest 2400-metre turf handicap will be released by Racing Victoria before week’s end.
$3 million Group 1 Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) – Moonee Valley, Saturday, 25 October
Exciting French galloper Smoking Sun, Godolphin’s Trading Leather and the Aidan O’Brien-trained pair of Magician and Adelaide remain in contention for Australasia’s weight-for-age championship following the closure of first acceptances.
The quartet join Hong Kong star Dan Excel, who has already begun his Cox Plate preparation in Australia, among 13 remaining internationals.
Saturday’s Group 2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) winner The Cleaner is a popular acceptor, joining a contingent of local horses that also includes Boban, Dissident and last year’s runner-up Happy Trails.
Exciting three-year-olds Almalad, Chivalry, Divan and Hallowed Crown are among 25 three-year-old colts or geldings in the first acceptances, whilst Group 1 winner Go Indy Go is the sole three-year-old filly still in contention.
The notable withdrawals were international invitee Mukhadram, multiple Group 1-winning sprinter Moment of Change and the classy mares Norzita and May’s Dream.
$1 million Group 1 BECK Caulfield Guineas (1600m) – Caulfield, Saturday, 11 October
Highly favoured contenders Chivalry (Mark Kavanagh), Divan (Robert Hickmott), Hallowed Crown (Bart & James Cummings), Nostradamus (Team Hawkes) and Almalad (Gai Waterhouse) headline the 108 first acceptors.
The total number of first acceptances has risen from 83 to 108 over the past 12 months. It’s the first time since 2008 that first acceptances have topped 100.
Group 1 winning juvenile Peggy Jean and the Chris Waller-trained pair Amicus and Winx are the three fillies among the first acceptances for both the Caulfield Guineas and Thousand Guineas with connections keeping their options open.
The notable withdrawals from the original entry were Mick Price-trained duo Jabali and Nordic Empire, and the Robbie Laing-trained Boomwaa.
$500,000 Group 1 Schweppes Thousand Guineas (1600m) – Caulfield, Saturday, 11 October
Group 1 winners Go Indy Go, Peggy Jean and Earthquake headline the 86 first acceptors for the three-year-old fillies classic.
First acceptances have increased by 16 on 2013 and are on par with the figure achieved in 2011 and 2012.
The notable withdrawals include Golden Slipper winner Mossfun and VOBIS Gold Rush winner Eloping.
$250,000 Catanach’s Jewellers Blue Sapphire (1200m) – Caulfield, Wednesday, 14 October
A total of 110 first acceptors were taken today for the new headline race on day two of the Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup Carnival. Amongst the notable acceptors are Earthquake, Eloping, Hallowed Crown, Nostradamus, Rubick and Bring Me the Maid.