WA stars Western Empire, Regal Power, Midnight Blue and Inspirational Girl joined a host of top Australian and international gallopers in nominations for the Melbourne spring carnival’s three biggest races.

Owners Bob and Sandra Peters entered the quartet for all three Group 1s - the $5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m), $5 million Cox Plate (2040m) and $8 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) - before nominations closed on Tuesday.

Western Empire, the brilliant winner of last year’s Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot, will be set on a path towards the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley in October.

Perth Cup (2400m) hero Midnight Blue will be set for the Caulfield Cup and could be the Peters’ first starter in the race that stops the nation at Flemington in November.

They have joined several other Peters-owned stars in the Victorian stables of Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Danny O’Brien.

“Western Empire will probably go on the traditional path that starts with the Memsie Stakes,” Bob Peters said.

“He’ll get up to 1600 and 1800 and we’ll see how he’s going.

“I think Midnight Blue would have to win a lead-up race to get into the Caulfield Cup.

“We know he’ll run out the 2400. The class he’s going to meet from now on is going to be a lot stronger.

“Regal Power is very tough. Inspirational Girl had a bit of a cold, she’s getting over that now but she’s a bit behind.”

Regal Power and Midnight Blue will resume in the PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) and a 1600m handicap respectively at Caulfield on Saturday week.

Peters confirmed classy sprinter Stageman will tackle Saturday’s Aurie’s Star Stakes (1200m) at Flemington, with Damien Oliver booked to ride.

“It will be a bit of an experiment down the straight for the first time,” he said.

There were 43 international entries for the Melbourne Cup including French Group 1 winner El Bodegon, Falcon Eight who is trained by dual Cup winner Dermot Weld and Royal Ascot winner Changingotheguard.

“The feedback I received when I was in Europe recently suggested we would have an increase in nominations this year, because trainers are beginning to understand our veterinary requirements better,” Racing Victoria manager of international racing operations Paul Bloodworth said.

“With COVID it’s a lot easier to come into Australia than it has been in the last two years.”

WA-owned Group 1 winner Sheeza Belter was also among nominations on Tuesday for the $1 million Thousand Guineas (1600m).