Officials expect a healthy international presence in this year's Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate after a record number of overseas entries were received for the spring features.

The Caulfield Cup has attracted 221 nominations including 44 entries from overseas, up from 20 last year.

The Cox Plate has 225 nominations with 29 international entrants, 17 more than 2013.

Leigh Jordon, Racing Victoria's global talent scout, anticipates between four to six international runners will line up in the Caulfield Cup with the expectation of two to four overseas horses in the weight-for-age Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.

Overseas entries were received from France, Germany, Japan, Hong Kong, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

Hong Kong-based Singapore Airlines International Cup winner Dan Excel is already in Sydney to build up for a shot at the Cox Plate.

The No.1 horse on Jordon's wishlist for the Cox Plate is the William Haggas-trained Mukhadram, winner of this year's Group One Eclipse Stakes.

"He's rated 123 and would be the top-rated international horse out of the Cox Plate noms," Jordon said.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien has nominated four horses for the Cox Plate including last year's Breeder's Cup Turf winner Magician.

Last year's Cox Plate runner-up Happy Trails is nominated again while Gai Waterhouse has 13 nominations including Carlton House.

No internationally trained horse has won the Cox Plate while three internationals have been successful in the Caulfield Cup, including Dunaden two years ago.

Last year's winner Fawkner is among the $3 million Caulfield Cup nominations along with 2013 placegetters Dandino and Dear Demi.

Dandino is one of five entries for UK-based trainer Marco Botti and is one of the international runners expected to take his place.

Jordon believes there's a good chance of at least one Japanese horse making the trip.

Admire Ratki is one of three Japanese horses nominated for the Caulfield Cup.

Nominations were also taken for the Caulfield Guineas and Thousand Guineas for three-year-olds.

There are 281 entries for the Caulfield Guineas and 205 for the Thousand Guineas.