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KEY POINTS:
Master trainer Bart Cummings' prospects of increasing his record tally of Melbourne Cups to 12 were boosted when his only Cup runner Sirmione caused a huge upset in the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
Cummings won his 11th Cup with Rogan Josh in 1999 and that gelding also scored an upset win in the Mackinnon and is the last horse to complete the Mackinnon Stakes-Melbourne Cup double.
His ninth Cup winner Let's Elope completed the same double in 1991.
Few believed Cummings could provide another masterstroke with Sirmione, who had seemingly lost form since winning the Grand Prix Stakes (2100m) at Eagle Farm on June 2 and finishing third to stablemate Empires Choice in the Queensland Derby (2400m) at the same track a week later.
He was sent out at $61 with the bookmakers and paid $88.70 on the Victorian TAB after finishing 12th to Master O'Reilly in the Caulfield Cup.
"The owners weren't too keen to run him, but I've been happy with him the last two weeks and I encouraged them to run him," Cummings said.
The managing owners of the Encosta De Lago 4-year-old are Dr Josh Xipell and his wife Thecla, who owned 2002 Victoria Derby winner Helenus.
Ridden by Peter Mertens, Sirmione came with a withering late run to score by 1 3/4 lengths from Caulfield Cup placegetter Princess Coup ($11) with Zipping ($10) a half-length away in third.
"Timing is the main thing about this game," Cummings said.
"The big one's on Tuesday and he'll be cherry ripe for it.
"He's struck form at the right time. The owners have been very patient and it's all worked out.
"He didn't settle in the Caulfield Cup with winkers on."
Cummings took the winkers off for the Mackinnon and put blinkers back on.
"He still has to run the two miles (3200m). One and a quarter miles (2000m) is his best distance."
Cummings said Sirmione, who has won three and been placed in another four of his 21 starts, was a bit of a pet around the stable.
"He likes to be looked after carefully and he's a bit of a sook. He's one of my favourites," he said.
Mertens hadn't ridden Sirmione before but picked up the mount because he can ride at the 51.5kg he has to carry in the Melbourne Cup.
"I told him to get on the fence and wait. He wasn't quite on the fence, he was one off," Cummings said.
"He [Mertens] has a wife and a few kids to support and I like jockeys like that. They don't take risks.
" AAP
