The $1 million Group I Manikato Stakes (1200m) will be held on Cox Plate eve on October 23.
Moonee Valley specialist Buffering, prepared by Robert Heathcote at Eagle Farm, is one of 24 first acceptors for the race.
Mick Price's stable star Lankan Rupee resumes in Saturday's Group II Schillaci Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield before returning to Moonee Valley to defend his Manikato Stakes crown. The son of Redoute's Choice prevailed in an epic version of the Manikato Stakes last year which saw the first eight horses across the line separated by only three-quarters of a length.
Hawkes Racing's high class grey Chautauqua is also in the mix as is regular rival Terravista from the Joe Pride stable. Terravista's siblings Tiger Tees and Ball Of Muscle make up a trio of acceptors representing Pride.
Two-time Group I winner Srikandi is set to tackle the race first-up from a spell after taking the Brisbane winter by storm earlier this year when capturing the Stradbroke Handicap -Tattersalls Tiara double.
Four three-year-olds remain in contention to take on the older horses at weight-for-ageheadlinedby Australia's latest sprinting star Exosphere and his stablemate Mogadoras well as the Chris Waller pair Japonisme and Counterattack.
Click here to view the first acceptances for the 2015 Manikato Stakes.