The recently-acquired fame that prompted an upgrade in the status of the Geelong Cup seems likely to result in one of the smallest fields on record for Wednesday's 2012 edition.

Victories by the past two Melbourne Cup winners, Americain and Dunaden, on their way to success at Flemington a week later has given the Geelong feature international significance.

The race was also won by 2002 Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle and by Bauer who was a close second in the big one.

The biggest international contingent so far has been entered for Wednesday $300,000, Group Three race, but only seven runners seem likely to start.

Among them are Brigantin who will be looking to continue the French trend established by the past two winners and Gatewood from England who is the early favourite.

A second French runner, Tac De Boistron is a likely acceptor, but concerns over the horse emerged at Werribee on Sunday where the horse was trotted up several times as part of a wide-ranging veterinary examination.

His trainer Mick Kent may also run Unusual Suspect.

The high-quality field will also include 2010 Melbourne Cup runner-up, Maluckyday who needs to win at Geelong to qualify this year, and Exceptionally who has been switched to the Geelong race from the Moonee Valley Cup.

A field of 14 seems likely to accept for Saturday's $3 million Cox Plate with trainer Gai Waterhouse confirming she will have three runners in the race having discarded a notion expressed on Saturday of switching beaten Caulfield Cup favourite Glencadam Gold to the race.