Red could be on the long road to Melbourne after Listed success

Last year's Derby sixth Red Verdon made an overdue return to the winner's enclosure when beating the smart handicapper Master The World in a hot 1m4f Listed race and is now set to be campaigned ambitiously once more as a five-year-old.

His owner Ronnie Arculli has an understandable infatuation with the Melbourne Cup following three second placings with the late, great Red Cadeaux, and while Ed Dunlop is reluctant to name a race 11 months away as his 2018 target, it will clearly come into calculations.

After Red Verdon had quickened up smartly and then held on well in the hands of PJ McDonald, the trainer said: "I'm thrilled for the horse, thrilled for his owner and very happy for the team at home.