The 2014 Caulfield Cup second acceptances have been released with 78 stayers still in contention to run in the Group 1 event at Caulfield on October 11.

Lucia Valentina is one of 78 stayers that remains a chance of taking out the 2014 Caulfield Cup after second acceptances were released this afternoon.

Lucia Valentina is now favourite in Caulfield Cup betting markets after performing well in two race starts since returning to the races and she remains in the entries for the $3 million race.

The Savabeel mare stamped herself as one of the best staying fillies of her generation when she took out the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) and finished third in the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival and she showed she had made the step-up to open company when she stormed home late to win the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on September 6.

Lucia Valentina stepped up to Group 1 level for the George Main Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on September 20 and worked home strongly late in a performance that indicated she is well on track for the Caulfield Cup.

The Japanese-trained duo of Admire Rakti and Bande arrived in Australia on Saturday and they have both been included in the Caulfield Cup second acceptances.

Admire Rakti is set to carry the top weight of 58 kilograms in the Caulfield Cup when the weights are raised, but is still rated a genuine chance by punters due to his performances in races like the Group 1 Tenno Sho (3218m) and Group 1 Japan Cup (2413m).

Bande finished third behind Gold Ship and Admire Rakti in the Group 2 Hanshin Daishoten Stakes (3016m) in March and he returned to racing with a dominant five lengths victory in the Listed Sapporo Nikkei on August 10.

The first planeload of European-trained 2014 Spring Racing Carnival contenders will arrive in Australia on Saturday and a number of these horses have been included in the Caulfield Cup second acceptances.

Connections of Protectionist, Dandino and Ambivalent have confirmed that they will take their place in the Caulfield Cup field, while veteran stayer Red Cadeaux remains a chance of contesting the Caulfield Cup for the first time after running in the Melbourne Cup for the past three years.

The Offer beat home just a single runner in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 20, but remains high in Caulfield Cup betting and has been included in the second acceptances for the Group 1 event.

The Montjeu gelding recorded three wins from as many starts when stepped up to 2400 metres during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival and he will run in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on October 4 before contesting the Caulfield Cup.

Gris Caro secured a place in the 2014 Caulfield Cup field when he took out the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday and he was included in the second acceptances, while Foreteller took out the ballot-exempt Underwood Stakes.

Spillway had no luck in the Naturalism Stakes, but connections are still hoping that the imported stayer can make his way into the Caulfield Cup field.

Trainer David Hayes has revealed that Spillway will be entered for both the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington and the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Royal Randwick on October 4 and the Rail Link entire will need to win either race to earn a Caulfield Cup start.

Fawkner took out the 2013 edition of the Caulfield Cup, but Team Williams have elected not to include him in the second acceptances for the Caulfield Cup, while the likes of Terrubi, Just The Judge, Gatewood and Greatwood were also missing from the second acceptances.

Third acceptances for the Caulfield Cup will be released on October 7 before final acceptances are taken a week later.