Grey flash Chautauqua and emerging sprint star Vega Magic headline the nominations for the $1 million Manikato Stakes and $1 million Darley Classic during the Melbourne spring carnival.
There have been 60 entries for the Manikato Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on October 27 and 62 entries for the Darley Classic (1200m) at Flemington on November 11.
Golden Slipper winner She Will Reign, who will resume on Friday night in the Group I Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley, is one nine three-year-old's nominated to take on the older horses in the Manikato.
Chautauqua and Vega Magic are currently the top two in betting for $10 million The Everest at Randwick on October 14.
Nominations have also been taken for the Victoria Derby and VRC Oaks.
The Derby has attracted 98 nominations with James Cummings, who won the Derby last year with Prized Icon, having entered five horses for Godolphin.
Unbeaten colt and Derby favourite Royal Symphony – one four nominations for Tony McEvoy – is the headline entry in the Derby.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have four Derby hopefuls including the unraced Hotel Amour – a grandson of Let's Elope by fellow Melbourne Cup winner American.
A total of 92 entries have been received for the VRC Oaks with Team Hayes and Dabernig providing nine of them including Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) winner Catchy.
The only filly nominated in the Derby is the John Sargent-trained Luvaluva who is also among 92 entered for the VRC Oaks.
More will be known about the quality of various Derby and Oaks contenders after racing at Flemington on Wednesday.
A ballot exemption into the Oaks is up for grabs for the winner of Wednesday's Oaks trial (1800m) at Flemington while the winner of the Victoria Derby Trial (1800m) is guaranteed a start in the Derby.
Meanwhile, glamour mare Winx headlines the crop of second acceptors for the Cox Plate on October 28.
Five internationally trained horses remain in the race and they are Kaspersky (Jane Chapple-Hyam), Johannes Vermeer and Taj Mahal (Aidan O'Brien), Folkswood (Charlie Appleby) and Riven Light (Willie Mullins).
There are 70 first acceptances for the Caulfield Cup on October 21, including Darren Weir-trained Japanese galloper Admire Deus who arrived in Australia on Tuesday.
There are a further seven internationally trained horses still in the Caulfield Cup (2400m).
The Appleby-trained Francis of Assisi and Kidmenever will be joined by Marmelo (Hugh Morrison), Johannes Vermeer (Aidan O'Brien), Wall of Fire (Hugo Palmer) and the Willie Mullins-trained duo of Wicklow Brave and Riven Light.
Caulfield Guineas second acceptors closed with 59 in the mix including the $2.50 favourite Royal Symphony and Golden Rose winner Trapeze Artist.
Catchy is still among the entries to take on the colts and geldings and is also one of 45 second acceptors for the Thousand Guineas for fillies on October 14, the same day as the Caulfield Guineas.
Check out some of the big spring carnival nominations
