Green light: Morrison clears Marmelo for bid to go one better in Melbourne Cup

Hughie Morrison has no concerns over the participation of last year's Melbourne Cup runner-up Marmelo in next week's renewal after seeing his star stayer exercise at Werribee on Tuesday morning.

Marmelo had a CT scan over the weekend after Racing Victoria vets felt he showed signs of soreness but Morrison is happy with the six-year-old, who is a general 14-1 chance to go one better next Tuesday.

A swinging canter over a mile with fellow Lexus Melbourne Cup hope Raymond Tusk was the morning workout for Marmelo, who was partnered by big-race jockey Hugh Bowman.

Marmelo: finished second to Cross Counter in last year's Melbourne Cup

Morrison, who travelled from Britain on Monday, said: “As far as we’re concerned there was nothing significant on the scans and I’m happy with him after seeing him this morning.

“Hugh is very attached to the horse after riding him in previous years. He was very pleased with him and felt there were no issues with his movement. He’s always moved like he does and been passed clear by the same vets that are adjudicating now so they're familiar with him.

“He’s a very kind horse and we love him dearly so certainly wouldn’t do anything that might harm him.”

Rain is expected in Melbourne on Victoria Derby day on Saturday and Morrison feels Marmelo is versatile regarding underfoot conditions with an otherwise dry forecast in the lead-up to the A$8m (£4.3m/€4.8m) contest.

Morrison said: "Good ground is always what we want with him but he had broken two track records on fast ground so he more than copes if he has too. He's a versatile horse."

Hugh Bowman: set to ride Marmelo in the Melbourne Cup for a third consecutive yearCredit: Vince Caligiuri

Bowman was denied by a length in last year's race on Marmelo and finished ninth in the Melbourne Cup and sixth in the Caulfield Cup in 2017.

Bowman said: "He looked great and felt great and that's all you can ask for. He's a very lazy horse but with company today he really went through the gears. He has certainly come over in as good if not better order than last year and if everything falls into place we would expect a similar or better run next week."

Racing Victoria vets will perform pre-race examinations for the top 35 ranked acceptors on Thursday and Friday, with the Charlie Appleby-trained Ispolini and last year's winner Cross Counter and the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Southern France also scanned over the weekend, but all connections are confident their horses will be passed fit to race.

Cross Counter: a general 12-1 chance to win a second Melbourne CupCredit: Vince Caligiuri (Getty Images)

Chris Connett, travelling head groom for Appleby, said: "Ispolini went for a second scan yesterday at Ballarat and when we get the results the team at home and vets here will have a discussion and decide what we want to do.

"He and Cross Counter look good to my eye. They haven't missed a day of training and as long as we get the okay they will work tomorrow.”

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