The Geelong Cup has emerged as an all-important Melbourne Cup guide and this year’s renewal looks like being no exception with a star-studded list of nominations for the $300,000 feature.

There were 23 horses nominated on Thursday for next week’s Group Three Geelong Cup (2400m), a race which has provided the platform to Melbourne Cup success for three imported horses in the past 10 years.

Irish horse Media Puzzle claimed the double in 2002 while French pair Americain and Dunaden have done likewise in the past two years.

A strong overseas presence is again set to be on show on Wednesday with Herbert Power Stakes winner Shahwardi among the international nominations.

Shahwardi, a stablemate of Americain, is on the third line of Melbourne Cup betting with TAB fixed odds at $13 following his Herbert Power win and is a chance to make it three-straight Geelong Cup triumphs for the French.

Fellow French-trained Brigantin is also among the entries as is the Mick Kent-trained import Tac De Boistron.

All four of Saturday’s Caulfield Cup emergencies, including internationals Gatewood and Ibicenco, are nominated for Geelong with the other two Caulfield Cup 2012 emergencies being Sabrage and Fictional Account.

The Luca Cumani-trained Ibicenco was the third emergency for the Caulfield Cup but was scratched on Thursday on veterinary grounds.

My Quest For Peace, Winchester, Niwot and Moudre are nominated but are in the final field for Saturday’s $2.5 million Caulfield Cup, while the Danny O’Brien-trained import Prairie Star is also entered for Saturday’s David Jones Cup at Caulfield.

Maluckyday is preparing for a second crack at the Melbourne Cup having beaten all but Americain two years ago, and he is among the Geelong Cup entries after missing a berth in the Caulfield Cup.

Owner Lloyd Williams has Mourayan, Excluded, Midas Touch and Tanby nominated.