Morrison 'realistic' on the chances of Melbourne Cup hope Marmelo

Last year's Melbourne Cup runner-up Marmelo has returned to Victoria on the back of Group-race wins in the John Porter Stakes and Prix Kergorlay, but trainer Hughie Morrison feels it would be a surprise if his stable star went one better in next month's race.

The Fairy Story Partnership and Aziz Kheir-owned six-year-old was on Saturday among the final 14 international arrivals at Werribee quarantine facility and will again head straight to the A$8m (£4.3m/€4.8m) Lexus-sponsored Group 1 handicap at Flemington on November 5.

Marmelo posted a career-best Racing Post Rating when defeating Aspetar in the Newbury Group 3 in April and recently returned to winning ways at Deauville when defeating subsequent Prix du Cadran second Call The Wind.

The five-time Group-race winner is a general 14-1 third favourite for the Melbourne Cup, and Morrison hopes last year's timely morning deluge and perfect preparation can be replicated.

Morrison said: "I'm pretty realistic and everything went perfectly for him last year as he got there in tip-top condition, he was working really well and the rain came in time for him.

"He ran a magnificent race, but to go one better this year would be a surprise, although that's our goal. To finish in the first four in that race is an achievement in itself.

"He's had a great year. It was the perfect start winning the John Porter, which proved he can mix it with the best on soft ground over a mile and a half, then we took a punt running him in the Coronation Cup and that didn't work out.

"He was unlucky at Longchamp then won really well at Deauville last time, so he's more than paid for himself."

Cross Counter claimed Marmelo late in last year's Melbourne CupCredit: Vince Caligiuri (Getty Images)

It was an agonising defeat for Marmelo in the race last year, after the son of Duke Of Marmalade hit the front inside the final furlong but was headed 50 yards out by Cross Counter.

Nevertheless, it remains a memorable day for Morrison and one that annually brings Australia to a standstill – so much so that there is a public holiday in Victoria on Melbourne Cup day.

Morrison, who hopes the Kheir-owned Le Don De Vie and Le Baol can join his travelling team next year, said: "Melbourne Cup day is quite a long one. Marmelo came with a great run and got run down in the last 50 yards, but he gave everything.

"When you arrive in Melbourne you soon realise the race is what the city is focused on. There is a public holiday and the parade the day before is very well attended and helps raise the profile of the race nationally.

"Even when you go somewhere else in Australia, the Melbourne Cup is what they are talking about."

Hugh Bowman (left) and Hughie Morrison take in the Melbourne Cup parade in 2017Credit: Vince Caligiuri

Marmelo was an unlucky sixth in the Caulfield Cup then ninth in the Melbourne Cup two years ago, and has been in the care of Morrison's travelling head lad Tom Pirie for each trip.

One of Pirie's tasks is to steer Marmelo clear of the Irish-trained Magic Wand and True Self – the two female occupants at Werribee – as Morrison reports his star stayer has previous in this regard.

Morrison said: "Marmelo was very full of himself and looking extremely well prior to flying out. Travelling to France is like a piece of work, so travelling to Australia is probably two bits, so we'll take it carefully with him for the first few days then get him back in the same rhythm.

"He'll have a couple of good swinging canters in the lead-up and that's been our tried and tested way in the last two years."

He added: "He's a full horse and he knows it now – not with his behaviour with humans but he knows when the fillies are around.

"He's very territorial at home and the master of Summerdown stables – that's certainly the case."

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