UK raiders eye Melbourne glory

Ed Dunlop believes it would be his career highlight if Red Cadeaux can finally lay claim to the Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday.

Now eight and back for a fourth tilt at Australia's greatest race, the chestnut is clearly transformed by the Victorian climate and has twice been runner-up already.

A visit to Japan in the spring left Red Cadeaux sore and in need of a long break, before he produced a good fourth in the Geoffrey Freer at Newbury and a moderate last in Kempton's September Stakes.

Dunlop, who mopped up Group Ones around the world with his great mares Snow Fairy and Ouija Board, was asked what winning the race would mean.

"Everything," he said.

"It would probably be the greatest victory of my training career, but I think a huge amount for Ronnie Arculli (owner). It was his dream to try to win the Melbourne Cup with Red Cadeaux, he kindly paid and is about to do it four times. I think it would be an amazing day.

"He's as good as he's been since he's been here, his weight's good, and being drawn in 15 means we can do what we like.

"He's been second twice, and was very unlucky not to win the first time. Let's hope he gets a good passage and that it's a truly run race and not a sprint."

Roger Varian, who saddled Farraaj to finish a respectable but frustrating third at Flemington on Saturday, runs My Ambivalent, who has earned a reputation for having her own ideas at the Werribee quarantine centre.

The trainer said: "She missed the Caulfield Cup (with a setback) but sometimes things happen for a reason. She does run well after a break and although she's not straightforward, she behaves on the track and she's fit and well."

Marco Botti managed a third with Jakkalberry a couple of years ago and saddles Geoffrey Freer winner Seismos, who was down the field at Caulfield.

"He's had a similar preparation to Jakkalberry and I knew the Caulfield Cup would be a bit sharp for him," Botti said. "He hasn't run on ground as quick as this but he's a sound horse. He should run a respectable race, and shouldn't be an outsider."

Saeed bin Suroor has been visiting Melbourne for even longer than Red Cadeaux, saddling three seconds to date.

This time around he brings Willing Foe and Cavalryman, who finished in mid-division in 2012 but has never been better at the age of eight and won this year's Princess Of Wales's Stakes and Goodwood Cup.

"Cavalryman is a different horse, he has won Group Twos at a mile and a half and two miles. He's doing well and is very happy here," the Godolphin trainer said.

James McDonald has been booked for Willing Foe, second in the Geoffrey Freer and a good fourth in the Irish St Leger.

The top Kiwi jockey said: "He's got an awkward barrier draw (17) but he's got a good turn of foot and hopefully he'll suit Australian racing. I've sat on him and he's coming along really well. He looks very adaptable."

John Gosden is present to prepare Gatewood, who is drawn wide in 22 and did not exactly set the world alight during a stint in Australia between 2012-13.

"He's a seasoned campaigner and has got better with age," Gosden said. "He's got to be on the outside, so he won't be crowded. William Buick has ridden in the race before and understands the rhythm of it and the way it's run."