Only nine international hopes remain in contention for Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup

Very few international contenders were among the first acceptors for the three spring carnival majors but the Caulfield Cup has taken the biggest hit.

Twilight Payment (right), ridden by Jye McNeil, winning last year’s Melbourne Cup at Flemington. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

Tougher import rules and travel difficulties have led to limited international hopes in both the Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup.

First acceptances for the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate featured a total of three overseas-trained runners for the rich races.

A field of 109 hopefuls remain in the Caulfield Cup after Tuesday’s first acceptances while 79 horses accepted for the Cox Plate.

Two international entries – the David Simcock-trained Rodrigo Diaz and Andrew Balding’s entry Spanish Mission – remain in the Caulfield Cup.

Joseph O’Brien’s runner State Of Rest is the sole overseas-trained acceptor for the Cox Plate.

However, syndicators Australian Bloodstock have conceded Rodrigo Diaz would not be able to travel to Melbourne in time to run in the Caulfield Cup.

Australian Bloodstock co-founder Jamie Lovett told RSN there were no flights available for the horse and Simcock’s travelling staff to get to Australia with enough time to complete quarantine requirements for the Caulfield Cup.

International runners will arrive in Melbourne on two flights.

The first will arrive in Melbourne on grand final day (September 25) with another landing on Caulfield Guineas day (October 9).

Only horses that arrive on the first flight would complete quarantine in time to run in the Caulfield Cup.

Three-time Melbourne Cup placegetter Prince Of Arran has been retired by trainer Charlie Fellowes. Picture: AAP

Another Australian Bloodstock-owned galloper, Gold Trip, will be on the first flight to Melbourne to join the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace camp in time for the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup

Horses on the second flight will be able to run in races from Cox Plate day onwards.

Meanwhile, last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Twilight Payment is among six international runners remaining in contention for a start in this year’s race.

The Melbourne Cup attracted 124 first acceptors, a rise of 30 on last year’s number at the same stage.

However, acceptances for all the spring majors closed three weeks earlier this year.

Three-time Melbourne Cup placegetter Prince Of Arran was a notable omission after failing Racing Victoria’s tough new testing standards.

Master Of Reality is in line for another Melbourne Cup start while Rodrigo Diaz and Spanish Mission are also among first acceptors for the great race.

Irish trainer Johnny Murtagh has accepted with Ebor Handicap winner Sonnyboyliston while Newmarket trainer Ismail Mohammed has accepted with Goodwood Cup runner-up Away He Goes.

Late entry Sir Lucan was also a Melbourne Cup acceptor for the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott camp after his recent purchase.

Click here for the Caulfield Cup first acceptors.

Click here for the Cox Plate first acceptors.

Click here for the Melbourne Cup first acceptors.

Originally published as Only nine international hopes remain in contention for Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup