Mebourne Cup, Septimus 4/1 Fav.

SEPTIMUS, favourite for the Emirates Melbourne Cup, stepped up his preparation for Tuesday's renewal of Australia's most famous race on Monday morning in advance of trainer Aidan O'Brien's arrival in Melbourne from the Breeders' Cup in Santa Anita.

Partnered by regular work rider, Keith Dalton, Septimus worked 1m 1f at Sandown racecourse with O'Brien's other Melbourne Cup contenders, Honolulu and Alessandro Volta.

On watered ground described by Andrew Murphy, spokesman for the Ballydoyle team, as "just on the slow side of good", Septimus had his most strenuous work out since his arrival in Australia on October 11.

The Irish St Leger winner tracked his two stableates before quickening up to finish two necks in front of Alessandro Volta (Jayo Kinane) and Honolulu (Pat Lillis).

Septimus blew harder than the other pair after the gallop and Murphy, who also accompanied Yeats and Mahler on their Melbourne Cup visits, said: " That was exactly what we wanted. They swung along all the way and while it was nothing too extravagant, we're all happy.

AIDAN O'BRIEN admits it would ‘mean the world' to win the Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington next week.

The Ballydoyle trainer had no luck at the Breeders' Cup meeting in Santa Anita but saddles the favourite, Septimus in the famous 2m handicap.

O'Brien will also be represented by Doncaster Cup winner Honolulu and Lingfield Derby Trial winner Alessandro Volta.

"It would mean the world to win it," said O'Brien.

"To win a race like this, you can't describe it. To win would be unbelievable."

When asked if Septimus, a winner of eight of his 12 starts, was unbeatable in the Cup, O'Brien replied: "A horse is never unbeatable. He's in good form and was an impressive winner (of the Irish St Leger) on his last start."
The three Coolmore runners form part of the strongest ever overseas challenge with Godolphin and Luca Cumani strongly represented.

"It just goes to show the regard this race is held with the rest of the world," O'Brien continued.

"We all want to win it. Everyone wants to be here and everyone wants to experience it."

Godolphin's trainer Saeed Bin Suroor echoed O'Brien's sentiments.

"It's one of the three biggest races in the world we haven't won, along with the Japan Cup and the Kentucky Derby," said Bin Suroor.

"We've been second twice but we think we've bought the right horse this time."

Godolphin will be represented by BMW Caulfield Cup winner All The Good.