With connections of horses from England, France, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland and Japan signalling their interest in our major races, Jordon believes the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and the Cox Plate, along with strong support programs, have taken racing here to an "international level".

With names such as Order Of St George, Red Cardinal, Max Dynamite, Albert and Rekindling from a spread of nations, Jordon said on Tuesday the Victorian spring carnival was a world event that trainers and owners strived to be a part of.

Such is the interest in the carnival, a total of 33 northern hemisphere-trained horses from 20 stables have been entered for the two spring features with 22 nominations in the Caulfield Cup and 31 in the Melbourne Cup.

"In my recent trips overseas I've noticed that people are eager to be a part of our carnival," Jordon said. "They're either in the process of trying to buy a horse or have a horse and are worried that it won't be good enough for a trip Down Under."

However, Jordon warned that racing in Victoria, including the country clubs, must remain vigilant in keeping racing relevant at the top end.

"World sport, as we have seen, is a moving feast so we must keep nourishing it with the best horses from here or overseas," he said.

"We are very fortunate in this state that racing has a wonderful six-week window on a very congested Victorian sporting calendar. football is over and cricket is yet to start and we gain some valuable exposure with the beneficiaries being tourism, wagering, employment and our own racing industry nationwide."

A total of 140 horses have been entered for the Melbourne Cup, up from 124 last year. Nominations have dropped from 170 to 142 for the Caulfield Cup.

Owner Lloyd Williams, who has won five Melbourne Cups, has 12 entries in both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

Australia's leading trainer Darren Weir has entered 20 horses, while Chris Waller nominated 10 for the Caulfield Cup and 13 for the Melbourne Cup.

James Cummings, now head trainer for the powerful Godolphin outfit, has entered star galloper Hartnell for both cups, as well as improving stayer Tally.

Godolphin's international trainers Charlie Appleby and Saeed bin Suroor have eight entries for both races.

German trainer Andreas Wohler, who prepared Protectionist to win the 2014 Melbourne Cup, is represented by Red Cardinal, one of the favourites in the Melbourne Cup.

World champion trainer Aidan O'Brien has entered 2015 Irish St Leger winner Order Of St George for the Melbourne Cup and Johannes Vermeer and US Army Ranger for both cups.

O'Brien's son, Joseph, could also have a starter, with the talented Rekindling being entered for the Melbourne Cup.

Irishman Willie Mullins is pinning his spring carnival hopes on Royal Ascot winner Thomas Hobson, Riven Light, Wicklow Brave and Max Dynamite, who was runner-up to Prince Of Penzance in the 2015 Melbourne Cup;

Japanese horse Albert, a winner of the group 2 Stayers Stakes (3600 metres), has been nominated for the Melbourne Cup by trainer Noriyuki Hori.

SIX OF THE BEST

Michael Lynch selects six of the most interesting foreign entries for the Melbourne and Caulfield cups.

ORDER OF ST GEORGE

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien (Ireland)

The classiest stayer in the entry and part-owned by Lloyd Williams. The son of Galileo won the Ascot Gold Cup last year and finished third in Europe's best race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Chantilly. Beaten narrowly by Big Orange in this year's Ascot Gold Cup but bounced back last time out to win Irish St Leger trial.

REKINDLING

Trainer: Joseph O'Brien (Ireland)

Another galloper in which Williams has a stake, this is an improving three-year-old who has got better the further he has been asked to run. Won the Curragh Cup over 2800 metres, then ran second to Order of St George last start. Trainer is the 24-year-old former jockey son of Coolmore master Aidan, and Rekindling would be a first Australian runner for him.

ALBERT

Trainee: Noriyuki Hori (Japan)

Japanese stayers have already won a Melbourne Cup (Delta Blues) and a Caulfield Cup (Admire Rakti) and Albert will have his supporters simply because of his background. But he has won at group 2 level and was fifth behind Japanese star Kitasan Black in the Tenno Sho over 3200 metres this year. Has never won over less than 3400 metres.

FRANCIS OF ASSISI

Trainer: Charlie Appleby (England)

Charlie Appleby made an enormous impression at his first visit to Melbourne last spring when he sent out a number of winners, including this horse, who won the Bendigo Cup and triumphed at Flemington over 2600 metres on the final day of the carnival. Had his first start since his Flemington win in a group 3 race over an inadequate 2100 metres at Haydock in mid-August behind Frankuus, a son of the great Frankel.

RIVEN LIGHT

Trainer: Willie Mullins (Ireland)

Entered only in the Caulfield Cup, but Mullins has ambitious plans for a horse who has also run over hurdles. Ireland's champion jumps trainer came close to Cup glory with Max Dynamite two years ago, but after Riven Light won a competitive handicap at the Galway Festival in early August, Mullins said that the Cox Plate and a clash with the mighty mare Winx was also under consideration for his charge.

RED CARDINAL

Trainer: Andreas Wohler (Germany)

Already something of a globetrotter, the five-year-old gelding began his career in England before moving to Germany. Has since run in France and the US, where he won over 3200 metres at Belmont Park in June beating a useful English stayer St Michel, also a Cup entry. Beaten last time in the Prix Kergorlay, a group 2 stayers race in France.