Who will and won’t contest the Caulfield Cup has become clearer with a number of horses withdrawn from contention today.

Glencadam Gold is the only Gai Waterhouse-trained horse still in contention for the Caulfield Cup. Photo by: Steve Hart.

The third round of acceptances were announced today and among the more notable withdrawals are last year’s runner-up Green Moon and Peter Moody-trained gelding Manighar.

The pair will be aimed at the Cox Plate and were two of a large number withdrawals as the number of possible Caulfield Cup contenders was reduced from 80 to 41.

Other major horses ruled out of the Caulfield Cup are fellow Cox Plate acceptors Mourayan and Shoot Out.

Manighar may be Cox Plate-bound but Moody will still be well represented in the Caulfield Cup with imports Voila Ici and Sneak A Peek as well as Lights Of Heaven being aimed at the race.

Voila Ici will provide an interesting challenge to Gai Waterhouse-trained import Glencadam Gold as both horses like to lead.

Glencadam Gold became a clear Caulfield Cup favourite following his win in the Metropolitan on Saturday where he led from start to finish to dispose of his rivals by four lengths.

The four-year-old is the sole Gai Waterhouse-trained runner left to chase Caulfield Cup glory with Waterhouse choosing not to accept with fellow import Julienas who is in doubt for the rest of the spring after suffering a virus.

Secret Admirer missed out on scoring back-to-back Epsoms when fifth to Fat Al on Saturday but will get a chance to add a third Group 1 title to her resume on Saturday week with trainer Grahame Begg confirming she would target the Caulfield Cup.

Southern Speed will press on to defend her Caulfield Cup title despite beating just one runner home in the Turnbull Stakes on Saturday.