KEY POINTS:
Corey Brown would like a very positive run from Maybe Better in today's Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington to show that the horse is back on track for Tuesday's Melbourne Cup.
Brown believed last year's Melbourne Cup placegetter was coming up beautifully for the 3200m race this year until
he failed in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) when ninth.
"He had the right run in the Caulfield Cup. I popped him out at the 700 metres and was expecting him to hit the line like he did at his previous start," Brown said.
"I couldn't pinpoint anything on the day. [Trainer] Brian [Mayfield-Smith] got him home and, flexing his joint, he was quite sore.
"Brian assures me he's rectified the problem and it was only a blip on the radar, but he'll definitely have to step up to the mark [today].
"Obviously it's a good cleanout for Tuesday, but if I can win I'll be winning.
"There's no doubt the horse definitely has the ability, but hopefully his joint is right and the track won't be too hard for him and he'll be attacking the line like he normally does."
The track was rated a dead (4) today by racecourse manager Terry Watson which should be ideal for the Intergaze five-year-old.
Mayfield-Smith has taken a different path this year with Maybe Better who last year burst into Cup calculations very late with an impressive win in the Saab Quality (2500m) before chasing home the Japanese pair Delta Blues and Pop Rock in the Cup.
He has a good record at 2000m, winning last year's Coongy Handicap at Caulfield and the Japan Trophy at Flemington.
Meanwhile, trainer Mark Kavanagh is expecting Devil Moon to bounce back following her tail-swishing Cox Plate fifth to El Segundo when she was found to be in season on the day.
"We didn't know pre-race that she was in season," he said.
"It was just one of those circumstances that was quite bizarre for it to happen in the Cox Plate. It was the first hot day of the season.
"It just made it a little difficult, but I think she'll be on the ball tomorrow.
"She wasn't happy in the run, it was out of character for her.
"I was satisfied with her performance. It was a farcically-run race and, if there is a little more pace on tomorrow, she'll go much better."
Devil Moon has shown a real liking for the new Flemington track being undefeated in her two appearances on it in the Let's Elope Stakes (1400m) and the Turnbull Stakes (2000m).
"She's a good, honest, reliable mare."
- AAP