The final make-up of the Melbourne Cup field will be known after today's racing at Flemington with some facing a nervous afternoon.
Caulfield Cup third placegetter Vigor is on the borderline to get a run and is scheduled to start in the Mackinnon Stakes with the winner assured of a
berth.
Last year's winner Viewed and emerging star Alcopop share favouritism.
Alcopop had a light workout on his home track at Strathalbyn in South Australia yesterday before making the trip to Melbourne with rookie trainer Jake Stephens happy with his preparation.
"He's one of those horses that's a pleasure to have in the stable, he's very relaxed."
While Stephens is heading to his first Melbourne Cup, Viewed's trainer Bart Cummings is aiming for his 13th win.
Allez Wonder and Roman Emperor will also represent the master trainer with Dandaad and Naval Escort trying to join the team via the Lexus Stakes.
Corey Brown will ride Dandaad in the Lexus but has a booking for Vigor if he gets into the Cup.
The international contenders continue to please in their work at the Sandown quarantine centre.
Changingoftheguard and Warringah will remain in Australia after the Cup having joined the David Hayes and Chris Waller stables respectively.
Mourilyan, the most favoured of the Europeans, has pleased trainer Herman Brown with his work over the past couple of weeks while Munsef's English trainer Ian Williams has arrived and is pleased with his charge.
The winners of the Lexus Stakes (2500m) and Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) gain automatic entry to the Cup provided they are among the third acceptors.
None of the Victoria Derby contenders have been paid up for the Cup.
- AAP
