Fifty-seven horses remain in contention for a start in the $6 million Cox Plate after first acceptances, with a showdown between two Yulong stars still a possibility.
When the deadline for first acceptors passed on Tuesday, Yulong-owned mares Via Sistina and Treasurethe Moment were both declared.
Via Sistina is on course to go back-to-back in Australia’s most prestigious race, while Treasurethe Moment is recovering from a minor bout of colic.
Treasurethe Moment has now been tentatively pencilled in for a start in the Feehan Stakes at Moonee on September 26 in what will be her first look at the track.
Via Sistina is one of the extraordinary 21 entries from trainer Chris Waller’s stable that remain paid up for the Cox Plate.
Waller’s team also includes Aeliana, Autumn Glow, Buckaroo, Fangirl and Saturday’s impressive pair of winners in Angel Capital and Lindermann.
Eleven three-year-olds remain in the race with Bjorn Baker’s Within The Law the only filly alongside talented colts Vinrock, Nepotism, Autumn Boy and Wodeton.
New Zealand Group 1 winner Pier was a late nomination as second acceptances close at noon on Tuesday, September 23.
The number of Caulfield Cup hopefuls fell from an original entry list of 142 to 85, with four internationals still in contention.
They are Presage Nocturne from France, the UK's Meydaan, Japanese stayer Golden Snap and the Ireland-trained Absurde.
