Trainer Kris Lees feels a return to Flemington will be a definite aid to Lucia Valentina's $6m 2014 Melbourne Cup prospects
And in a further confidence boost, the mare has come through her outstanding 2014 Caulfield Cup placing last Saturday even better than her trainer might have hoped.
"Lucia Valentina has pulled up extremely well; in fact it has surprised me a little just how she has come through the race," Lees said today.
"She was the same weight yesterday morning as she was last Friday, so the Cup run hasn't hurt her at all."
Lees, whilst naturally disappointed his mare could not add another Group 1 triumph to her record, philosophically accepted the Caulfield Cup (2400m) defeat, but was glowing in his praise of her.
"That's racing," he said. "Caulfield Cups are never easy to win and unfortunately the luck just didn't fall her way.
"But she did a remarkable job to run third.
"I feel the return to Flemington in a fortnight for the Cup will be in her favor.
"She settles well and if she can get a good run and produce the turn of foot she again showed last Saturday, then I've got no doubt she will be right in the finish.
"We had 5kg on the winner Admire Rakti last Saturday, and will meet him only 0.5kg better in the Melbourne Cup.
"We'll have to wait and see whether that's enough to turn the tables on the Japanese stayer.
"But I'm pretty confident that the way she is racing she will handle the 3200m."
Kerrin McEvoy, who won the 2000 Melbourne Cup on Brew and has been Lucia Valentina's rider in all four runs this preparation, is confirmed as her Cup partner.
Lees has done a superb job with New Zealand-owned Lucia Valentina since she joined his Newcastle stable earlier this year.
He has won three races with her - including two Group 1s (the Vinery Stakes at Rosehill in April against her own sex and the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington earlier this month against all-comers).
Both races were over 2000m.
Lees is returning to Melbourne on Friday to check on Lucia Valentina's progress.
"Naturally, we haven't done a lot with her this week, but she will do some work on Saturday morning," he said.
"This will be her fifth race this campaign, and there's no need to start her again before the Cup.
"Our job now is to keep her ticking over for Flemington.
"I'm sure she won't let anyone down."