Melbourne team are up for the Cup

Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby will attempt to secure as many of his five entries as possible a start in the G1 Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Nov 1 -- with positive action being taken by sending runners to the Geelong, Moonee Valley and Bendigo Cups.

But to commence proceedings, Appleby relies on Scottish in the G1 Caulfield Cup on Oct 15, a race that will decide whether the gelding steps up or drops back in distance for his following race.

Appleby has received upbeat reports of his team from Melbourne, particularly of Scottish, who was partnered for the first time by big-race jockey Kerrin McEvoy in a work-out at Werribee, near Melbourne, on Friday.

"James Ferguson (assistant trainer), who flew down with the horses, is happy the way they have travelled. They have settled in well at the quarantine centre, and they are all eating and drinking.

"I spoke to Kerrin after he had ridden Scottish, and he seemed delighted with him. He said he seemed fresh and well.

"He has one more gallop to go. We'll put one more serious piece of work into him, on Tuesday, which was always the plan. Mikey Ennis, his regular rider, will be aboard. I am happy with the way things have gone so far" the trainer added.

Appleby is first to admit that it will be a challenge to get all five into the Cup. Qewy, Second Wave, Oceanographer and Francis Of Assisi are all at the bottom of the handicap and will need to win a race -- and be penalised for the Cup by the handicapper -- to have any chance of gaining entry to the field.

"They've got a bit to find to get into the Cup, we know that, but we think they will be competitive in the races we are targeting," Appleby said.

"Both Qewy and Second Wave will go for the Geelong Cup. They are different types, completely.

Qewy will be dropping back in distance but that will not inconvenience him, while Second Wave will be stepping up in trip.

"Oceanographer goes for the Moonee Valley Cup. He's a good stayer, who didn't have the clearest of runs in the Ebor at York. He's one you have to ride for luck.

While Francis of Assisi, who goes for the Bendigo Cup, is clearly enjoying himself in Australia. He ran a nice race last time," Appleby added.

If Scottish acquits himself well in the Caulfield Cup, he will head on to Flemington for the Melbourne Cup. If the distance finds him out at Caulfield, then he will be diverted to the G1 Emirates Stakes (formerly the G1 Mackinnon Stakes), over 2,000m on Nov 5.