The Melbourne Cup is set for a string of changes in a bid to eliminate the growing rate of deaths from international runners.
Racing Victoria and the Victoria Racing Club announced it supported 41 of the 44 review recommendations put forward by the RV board.
From now on the Werribee International Quarantine Centre will only hold 24 runners.
International raiders will be allowed only one-lead up run before entering the Cup, traditionally many Melbourne Cup hopefuls have raced in the Caulfield Cup and then headed to the first Tuesday in November.
But for those imports who maybe weren't able to secure a path into the race at Caulfield's showpiece event they may run as close as the Saturday before the Cup to gain a slot.
Horses will still be permitted to run on derby day and then Cup Day but that must be their only race prior in Australia for the campaign.
A series of tests will be done on horses travelling down under which will be at the expense of the owners, they will also have to be available for a further pre-export test from an RV-appointed vet, before having to comply with a number of pre-race tests while in quarantine at Werribee.
Any international horse who has suffered a previous fracture or undergone orthopaedic surgery won't be allowed into Australia to run.
It had been discussed that maybe Werrribee wasn't the most suitable place to hold these horses but the report has allowed for the retention of the Werribee International Horse Centre as Victoria's quarantine centre, with significant changes to be made to aid horse welfare.
Legendary trainer Lee Freedman told Racing.com the changes would make for a better Cup all-round.
"There had to be changes made," Freedman said following the announcement on Wednesday.
"I think it's a great thing they've done here to ensure the integrity of the race and as a sort of by-product, give the race back to the locals a little more.
"I think public interest in the race has not been the same over recent years. It's an iconic race, but it's our iconic race and we've been losing touch with it."
Freedman said the limit on internationals will allow for the race to become more accessible for local connections.
"The internationals taking part in the race, that's all fine, but it has become pretty much all about the internationals and that shouldn't be the case for the race most of us growing up hoped we might one day win," he said.
"It's our race. It's our special race and I think these reforms are positive and will have a real impact on the make-up of the race and how people in Australia will perceive it."
The changes come in the wake of it being revealed that Anthony Van Dyck showed signs of lameness after arriving in Australia with a diagnostic nerve block performed before the Caulfield Cup, according to media reports.
The highest rated horse to enter Australia broke down in the Melbourne Cup after suffering a fractured fetlock and was humanely euthanized.
