Eight of the Herbert Power Stakes runners face a last-ditch attempt to cement a start in the Caulfield Cup.

The winner of Saturday's 2400 metre race gains an automatic start in Saturday week's Caulfield Cup and cannot be re-handicapped.

There are 38 horses still in contention for the Caulfield Cup after third declarations on Tuesday with the field will be reduced to 18 plus four emergencies.

As it stands the Danny O'Brien-trained Bondeiger, a runner in the Herbert Power, is in the Caulfield Cup as the fourth emergency.

The others trying to confirm a start via the Herbert Power are Sertorius, Amralah, Bohemian Lily, Mister Impatience, Excess Knowledge, Ethiopia or Albonetti.

Excess Knowledge, Ethiopia and Albonetti are the only three horses not to have passed any of the ballot clauses.

Australian Derby winner Mongolian Khan, who runs in the Caulfield Stakes, is the only other Caulfield Cup contender running on Saturday.

He is safely in the Caulfield Cup field at No.6 on the order of entry.