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The European arm of Sheikh Mohammed’s global Godolphin operation is set to launch its biggest ever assault on the spring carnival with as many 10 horses on the short list to travel to Melbourne.

Godolphin trainers Charlie Appleby and Saeed bin Suroor are in the final stages of planning their Melbourne campaigns.

Appleby has already confirmed that he has five Caulfield and Melbourne Cup entries going into quarantine in the UK while Saeed bin Suroor will resolve his numbers after his carnival nominations race this month in England and Ireland.

Appleby’s team could also include WS Cox Plate invitee Tryster but stable hopes are highest for Scottish as he is considered by Appleby to be a genuine Caulfield and Melbourne Cups contender.

Scottish recorded his fourth win in 11 starts at his latest start when he won the G3 Strensall Stakes over nine furlongs at York on August 20.

Appleby's other Melbourne Cup entries are Second Wave, Oceanographer, Qewy and Francis Of Assisi and they will join Scottish in quarantine next week.

"All of the five in my stable have completed their preparations over here and they are ready to go into quarantine on September 15," Appleby said. "They are all done.”

Appleby reported on the Godolphin website that he is delighted with the 54.5kg awarded Scottish in the Caulfield Cup, indicative that he will receive a similar handicap when the Melbourne Cup weights are issued on September 13.

"I am happy with that. He is an adaptable horse with a high cruising speed, who I think will be ideal for Caulfield,” Appleby said.

Tryster, winner of nine of his 15 starts including the G1 Jebel Hatta on the Meydan turf in Dubai in March, is entered for Saturday’s G1 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown but is not a confirmed starter.

He last raced in America, finishing eighth in the G1 Arlington Million in Chicago on August 13.

Saeed bin Suroor intends to start his five Melbourne Cup entries Beautiful Romance, Elite Army, Important Message, Secret Number and Sky Hunter in up-coming races.

"They'll run again in the UK before we decide," Saeed said. "I want to see which are good enough to go to Australia.”

Sky Hunter and Secret Number raced in Melbourne last spring.

Sky Hunter had his first start since he beat only two home in the 2015 Melbourne Cup when he finished third in a field of six in the G3 September Stakes over 12 furlongs at Kempton Park last Saturday.

Secret Number did not contest last year’s Melbourne Cup as he was saved for the G2 Queen’s Cup (2800m) on the last day of the Flemington carnival where he finished second to Dandino.

He has not raced since and holds no immediate race entries in the UK apart from the G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot in October.

Sheikh Mohammed’s quest to win the Melbourne Cup with a European stayer began in 1998 and has become his Holy Grail. Some 18 years and 21 starters later he is still striving for that elusive win in Australia’s great race, his desire fuelled by the frustration of three second placings in 1999, 2001 and 2009.

The first shipment of horses for the spring may also include several from Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle yard in Ireland.

O'Brien also has the Melbourne Cup favourite Order Of St George, part-owned by Lloyd Williams, but a decision on whether he will head to Australia will not be made until after he runs in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh on Sunday.

"Aidan is still working out what he will be bringing but we expect him to have at least three on the first plane," said Racing Victoria’s international liaison officer Leigh Jordon.

Australian Bloodstock has booked recent purchases Red Cardinal and Articus on the first flight.

Red Cardinal, bought by the Newcastle-based syndicate before his third in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury, is a lightweight Melbourne Cup chance but will need to win the Moonee Valley Cup or Geelong Cup to get a start.