Bart Cummings is set to rely on his runner Precedence in next Tuesday week’s big race.
Precedence ran a good foundation fifth placing, after being galloped on early in the race when finishing behind Prince Of Penzance in the Moonee Valley Cup at the weekend and the Cummings camp is now strongly considering running the nine-year-old in the Mackinnon Stakes 2000m at Flemington on Saturday.
Cummings has won 12 ¬Melbourne Cups and used Derby Day to fine tune 11 of his winners.
“Precedence’s going all right for his age,’’ Bart Cummings said on Sunday.
“I believe he is just about in the Melbourne Cup, so it would be good to have a runner again.
“I’d like to get the baker’s dozen of Melbourne Cups.’’
Precedence just missed out in controversial circumstances gaining a Melbourne Cup start last year, but he is certain to make the 24-horse field this time.
On the order of entry before Monday’s Melbourne Cup second declarations, Precedence is 22nd.
Precedence has started in three Melbourne Cups, finishing eighth (2010), 11th (2011) and ninth (2012).
Bart's co-trainer and grandson James Cummings said on Sunday, Precedence had come through that Moonee Valley Cup effort in good order.
Precedence is a nine-year-old and would be the oldest Melbourne Cup winner in the race’s long history if he is successful next week.
The record for the oldest Cups winners are Toryboy (1865) and Catalogue (1938), who were eight-year-olds.
However Bart Cummings, 86, isn’t concerned about the age barrier.
“Precedence doesn’t know how old he is — he can’t read!’’ said Bart who is renowned for his one-liners.
“He is a sound horse, that’s the key. It’s hard to get them as sound as he is at his age.
“He’s never done too much racing, either, we’ve looked after him so that all helps.
“Although no nine-year-old has won it, there is always a first time.
“And what do they say? You’ve got to be in it to win it.’’
Bart said he would most likely make the trip to Flemington for the race that stops the nation if Precedence does take his place in the Cup next week.
“I might have to come down, we will see what happens,’’ Cummings said.