Melbourne hopes on trial

Efficient: Flemington return

A number of Australian hopes for the Melbourne Cup are due to be on view at Flemington this Saturday in the Makybe Diva Stakes.

The home team for the "race that stops a nation" have been notably conspicuous by their absence in the current betting for the contest with Green Moon the only horse to figure amongst the top seven in the market.

Saturday's $300,000 Group 2 contest could give the market a much shake up as the race is set to feature a number of probable aspirants including including Southern Speed, Mawingo, December Draw and Manighar.

The latter, who was fifth in last year's Melbourne Cup when trained by Luca Cumani, is now under the care of Peter Moody, and has reportedly been the best backed horse with the Australian bookmakers ahead of his opening run of the season.

There is Irish interest in the race with the former John Oxx inmate, Mourayan, and the ex-Aidan O'Brien trained, Midas Touch.

The son of Galileo was third in last year's renewal having finished second to Masked Marvel in the previous year's St Leger.

The ex-Irish pair will be joined by their illustrious stablemate, Efficient.

The ever popular nine-year-old is no stranger to winning big prizes at Flemington having won the 2006 Victoria Derby, 2007 Melbourne Cup and 2009 Turnbull Stakes.