A strong international presence for the Melbourne spring looks assured after the first acceptances for the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate.

There are 16 internationals remaining in contention for the Caulfield Cup and 13 overseas-trained horses in Cox Plate entries after first acceptances on Tuesday.

Total numbers for both races are up with 121 horses still entered for the Caulfield Cup while the Cox Plate has 110 first acceptors.

Japanese gallopers Admire Rakti and Bande, who are due to arrive in Melbourne on September 20, are among the Caulfield Cup entries.

Popular galloper Red Cadeaux, twice a runner-up in the Melbourne Cup, is also a first acceptor for the 2400-metre Caulfield feature along with last year's runner-up Dandino and stablemate Seismos.

Hong Kong star Dan Excel, German galloper Protectionist and the Roger Varian-trained Ambivalent have also paid up.

Dan Excel, the Aidan O'Brien-trained pair Adelaide and Magician, and last year's Mackinnon Stakes winner Side Glance are some of the internationals who hold Cox Plate entries.

As expected, Eclipse Stakes winner Mukhadram, who was allotted topweight of 58kg for the Caulfield Cup last week, was not paid up for either the Caulfield Cup or Cox Plate.

Last year's Cox Plate was won by a three-year-old in Shamus Award, and 26 three-year-olds are still entered for the weight-for-age race with Go Indy Go the only filly.

Gai Waterhouse is yet to win a Cox Plate and has nine horses still nominated, the same number as premier Sydney trainer Chris Waller.

The Roger James-trained New Zealand mare Silent Achiever holds Cox Plate favouritism at $12 ahead of Dan Excel and Dissident at $15.

First-up Tramway Stakes winner Lucia Valentina and the Waterhouse-trained The Offer are joint Caulfield Cup favourites at $11.

The Caulfield Cup is on October 18 with the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 25.

Second acceptances for both races are taken on September 23.