KEY POINTS:
Transtasman horseman Graeme Rogerson will be elated but not fully satisfied if he breaks his Melbourne Cup drought today.
The transtasman trainer has three leading chances at Flemington: second-favourite Zipping, Sydney Cup winner Gallic and last year's Victoria Derby winner Efficient.
But he's also eyeing a notable November treble, spread over two racing codes and two countries.
"Hopefully it's our year and I can head off from here and win the New Zealand galloping and trotting cups, too," he said as he soaked up the Melbourne Cup parade yesterday.
Having just branched out into harness training in Waikato, Rogerson has a share in next Tuesday's New Zealand Trotting Cup chance Classic Cullen, and also trains stayer Cape Kinaveral in the galloping version of the New Zealand Cup four days later.
"We've still got to get one leg yet," said Rogerson, who has tried for two decades to win the Melbourne Cup.
"I've had Eurostar, Just A Dancer ran fifth one year, Ebony Grosve, we've been all around it. Last year Zipping ran fourth."
His three chances today are all owned by Melbourne identity, and his mate of 40 years, Lloyd Williams, who oversaw their final workouts at Flemington in the past week.
Rogerson has notably kept in the background in the cup build-up, leaving Williams and his son Nick to do the talking.
Rogerson refuses to split his chances for today, even though Zipping, by Danehill, is the best-backed after his fast-finishing third in Saturday's Mackinnon Stakes.
"Zipping ran a super cup trial but you can put a case for all three," he said.
"I love Gallic and he's Lloyd's favourite horse. Any one of them would suit me."
Zipping (barrier 22) and Gallic (24) have both drawn terribly but Rogerson took comfort from the fact that the outside four barriers have won more cups (nine) than the inside four (eight) since starting stalls were introduced in 1958.
Gallic has excellent 3200m form, winning both the Adelaide and Sydney Cups this year, while Efficient was even been tried over hurdles at training last week to help sharpen him up.
So is Rogerson confident?
"I haven't won yet, ask me tomorrow. You can never be over confident but we've got some really good chances."
- NZPA
