PLACED third in the Group 2 Summer Stakes at Ascot at his previous start, My Oberon, now in the Annabel Neasham stable, landed a decisive win in the Group 2 Crystal Mile at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

The Irish-bred Dubawi gelding appreciated the strong tempo being set with Johnny Allen surging him into the race on the final bend, before drawing clear to post a two-length win over the Mongolian Khan gelding Bankers Choice and the Noble Mission gelding Buffalo River.

“He was super. William Haggas (previous trainer) sent me a message the other day saying ‘Good luck, don’t hit the front too soon’, which was good advice. He hit the front and held on well. He’ll come on a lot from that and hopefully find a nice race in two weeks,” said Neasham, suggesting a class with Anamoe in the Champions Stakes is not out of the question.

Francesco’s Gold Cup

The Irish-bred Francesco Guardi has called Chris Waller’s bluff showing the type of form that would have him in Melbourne Cup discussions following his impressive win on Saturday in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup over the 2,500 metres.

Left out of the second acceptances for the Melbourne Cup, the Frankel gelding was second in the Bart Cummings to Lunar Flare before handing the $17 Melbourne Cup chance a four-length defeat.

“He caught us a bit off guard,” Waller admitted. “He’ll get his turn next year. We thought he was a year away but I think in 12 months’ time it might be a different story.

“Winning races like today is one thing, the Melbourne Cup is a whole new level. We’ll regroup after today and have a good throw at the stumps next year.”

Cup field almost set

THE field for the A$7.7 million Melbourne Cup is mostly set with just 34 horses remaining before final acceptances this afternoon.

The make-up could threaten the Geelong Cup winner Emissary’s place in the field as holds the final spot, 24th in the order of entry. That spot could go to any of Serpentine (IRE), Realm Of Flowers, Chapada, Makram (IRE), High Emocean (NZ), Interpretation (IRE), Schabau (GER), King Of The Castle (IRE) and Harmysian (GB) via today’s Lexus Archer Stakes over 2,500 metres.

There was late drama on Thursday when the Caulfield Cup winner Durston was scratched after failing the final bone scans.

Just three internationals will contest Tuesday’s 3,200-metre Group 1 handicap, the nominal favourite Deauville Legend, trained by James Fergerson, Marcel Weiss’ Loft and the Crisford’s Without A Fight. Those three fill the top three lines in the market.

William Buick will ride Without A Fight with Ed Crisford pleased with his horse’s condition. “He had a good breeze this morning (Tuesday), which I was very, very happy with. He looks bright and alert. I was very, very happy when I saw him this morning. He looks really well, I think he even looks better than when he left us, he’s done super well.”

Aboard Loft, who had a gallop at Flemington on Tuesday, was jockey James McDonald.

“He was super, I was really taken by him and I was quite surprised too. Obviously you don’t know until they come out, but he was a ripping little horse. He is not huge, but very athletic, he moves extremely well and his condition is spot on.”

James Fergerson has Kerrin McEvoy aboard Deauville Legend with the jockey seeking to win a record-equalling fourth Melbourne Cup. “I’m really happy with the way he’s travelled,” said Ferguson.

“He’s looking great, doing well and hasn’t missed a beat since he has been here so we can’t ask for much more.”