The $1 million Darley Classic is shaping as a fitting leg of the Global Sprint Challenge following the closure of first acceptances for the Group One feature at Flemington on November 5.

Australia’s highest-rated sprinters - including established superstar Chautauqua and boom three-year-old colt Extreme Choice – feature among the 25 first acceptors for the weight-for-age sprint over 1200m.

The Team Hawkes-trained Chautauqua is one of 13 individual G1 winners that remain in contention for the race, including 2013 winner Buffering, Newmarket Handicap winner The Quarterback and comeback star Lankan Rupee.

Moir Stakes winner Extreme Choice is one of four three-year-olds among the first acceptances, joining stablemate Flying Artie, Golden Slipper winner Capitalist and the unbeaten Russian Revolution.

Notable omissions from the first acceptances include Robert Smerdon’s Stradbroke Handicap winner Under The Louvre, Fast ‘N’ Rocking and the Darren Weir-trained trio of Flamberge, Hellbent and Voodoo Lad.

A total of 37 horses remain in contention for a start in the $1.5 million AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on October 29 while 31 fillies are still in the running to contest the $1 million Crown Oaks (2500m) on November 3.

The first five horses across the line in last Saturday’s Caulfield Classic (2000m), including winner Good Standing and fast-finishers Rocketeer and Inference, headline first acceptances for the Derby.

Team Hawkes’ Swear and the James Cummings-trained Prized Icon, the pair who filled the placings behind Yankee Rose in the G1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick, are also first acceptors.

Notable non-acceptors include Stutt Stakes winner and Caulfield Guineas placegetter Hey Doc, talented Godolphin colt Trenchant and Divine Prophet, who was sent for a spell following his Caulfield Guineas victory.

Spring Champion Stakes winner Yankee Rose headlines the first acceptances for the Oaks with connections leaving the door open after she starts in Saturday’s Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.

The first five horses across the line in last Saturday’s G3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield, including impressive winner Eleonora and eye-catching closers Sebring Dream and Bella Sorellastra, are also in the acceptances.

Notable non-acceptors include Sydney stakes winner Foxplay, last-start Edward Manifold Stakes winner Serenely Discreet and smart filly Exocet.