Fiorente is out of the Caulfield Cup with trainer Gai Waterhouse opting to focus the five-year-old on the Cox Plate a week later as his Melbourne Cup lead-up.
Second favourite for the Melbourne Cup, Fiorente won the Group Two Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes at Moonee Valley at his last outing, but his withdrawal still leaves Waterhouse with five hopes in the Caulfield Cup.
After Tuesday’s second acceptances, Waterhouse still has Glencadam Gold, Julienas, Hippopus, Spurtonic and Vaquera in contention for $2.5 million race.
Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner Green Moon is one of the Robert Hickmott-trained Lloyd Williams-owned runners still chasing the Caulfield Cup including Sydney Cup winner Mourayan, high-rated import Sea Moon and Emirates Stakes runner-up Fawkner.
Saturday’s Hill Stakes placegetter Masked Marvel, Turnbull Stakes runner-up Seville, Zipping Classic winner Tanby, and emerging import Thought Worthy were Williams’ other second acceptances
Injured Doomben Cup winner Beaten Up, his Chris Waller-trained stablemate Bayrir and three-year-old Prince Harada were not among the second acceptors for the Caulfield Cup.
Among the international contingent to be withdrawn are Red Cadeaux, Royal Diamond and Now We Can with the contenders down to 72.
However, an international flavour remains with the Marco Botti-trained Dandino, William Mullins-trained Simenon, the Nicky Henderson-prepared Forgotten Voice and Markus Nigges’ Trevieres all paid up.
Also still in the running are the Waller-trained race favourites Hawkspur and Royal Descent, Australian Cup winner Super Cool, Saturday’s Naturalism Stakes winner Mr OCeirin and the Peter Moody-trained Manighar, who will carry topweight if neither Green Moon or Sea Moon take their place.