Racing: Cambridge stayer regains top form

It has been 18 months since his last win but Harris Tweed found the finishing line yesterday. Photo / Supplied

Cambridge stayer Harris Tweed has put his Melbourne Cup campaign on track with a hard fought win in the Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington yesterday.

Trained by Murray and Bjorn Baker, the Montjeu 5-year-old drew on his reserves after making the running from the home turn and held off Exceptionally to score by a head with Above Average 2 lengths away third.

Last year, Harris Tweed finished fifth to Shocking in the Melbourne Cup and TAB Sportsbet firmed him up from $41 to $26 to win this year.

Harris Tweed is also in the Caulfield Cup but Murray Baker may look for another lead up option for the gelding.

Last year, he finished 10th to Viewed at Caulfield but Baker queried whether it was the right race for him.

"I have to think about it," he said.

"I am not sure he has enough zip for the Caulfield Cup but he can stay and he should improve a lot with this run."

Harris Tweed has been slow to come to hand this campaign but Baker has been encouraged by his recent improvement.

"Coming out of a New Zealand winter he has taken a lot of getting fit," Baker said.

"He has been well behind the eight ball but have we have thought the last couple of weeks that he has really picked up.

"He is an improving horse and he does like it here in Australia. He seems to thrive here and race a lot better."

Harris Tweed was having his third run this campaign after unplaced runs over 1700m at Flemington and in the Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield.

Jockey Brad Rawiller said that with 58.5kg yesterday, Harris Tweed had a tough run racing near the lead all the way before taking the lead three-wide on the home turn.

"He had to make the running in the straight which is a long way home but he did a good job and I'm looking forward to the Melbourne Cup now," Rawiller said.

However, the Baker stable did not fare as well earlier on the card when High Chaparral colt Mackadoo, as second favourite, ran unplaced in the listed UCI Stakes.

Victoria Derby hopeful Altius is now an easing co-favourite for the Victoria Derby after his failure in the 1800m race won by Eclair Surprise.

Derby long-shots dominated the finish of event with Eclair Surprise ($12) charging home from last to score in a three-way finish from Almindoro ($71) and Shadowofexcellence ($18).

Altius, whose siblings include Elvstroem and Haradasun, finished fifth but was one-paced under hard riding from Damien Oliver.

A post-race examination revealed Altius was making an abnormal respiratory noise.

Trainer Tony Vasil said it was the intention to run the colt in the Norman Robinson Stakes at Caulfield on October 16 and assess the Derby after that race.

TAB Sportsbet turned Altius from $5 outright favourite for the Derby to $7 which he now shares with Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes runner-up Retrieve.

The Victoria Derby over 2500m is on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival on October 30.

Eclair Surprise had his quote slashed from $41 and is now on the second line of Derby betting at $9 while Almindoro and Shadowofexcellence tightened from $51 and $31 respectively to $13.

Trainer Peter Moody said the dry track and the extra distance were key factors in the form turnaround for Eclair Surprise who could finish only seventh of eight at Sandown after scoring a synthetic track win at his Geelong debut.

"He won well at Geelong but at Sandown he couldn't get going at all and the wheels were spinning the whole way," Moody said.

Moody put blinkers on Eclair Surprise but the gear change made no difference as he walked out of the gates and he nearly fell when getting on the heels of another runner 50 metres after the start.

"It probably adds to merit to the win." Moody said.

Nolen described the win as "pretty emphatic".

"He nearly got tipped over at the start but he followed the right horses in to the race and gave them a beating," Nolen said.

"He ticks a lot of boxes if he does make it to the Derby."

"The horse has got a ton of upside."

- AAP