Japanese trainer Kenji Nonaka sees the likely wet conditions of the Flemington track as a major concern for veteran stayer Tokai Trick in Tuesday's $6 million ($NZ7.7 million) Melbourne Cup.
Speaking through an interpreter, Nonaka said the nine-year-old had improved since his wide passage when 12th in the Caulfield Cup which he described as a very good "prep run".
"I'm expecting a big run. My main concern is the track condition. It's a major concern for us," Nonaka said.
"I'm hoping its not as bad (heavy for the Caulfield Cup) as last time."
Tokai Trick ran in a record breaking fifth straight Tenno Sho (3200m) in May when ninth to Jaguar Mail.
His best result in that race was third in 2007.
"The 3200 metres is the best distance for my horse so he'll run a much better race this time," Nonaka said.
Tokai Trick is the first Japanese-trained horse to race in a Melbourne Cup since Delta Blue took out the race from Pop Rock, in 2006 and Nonaka said Tokai Trick would be competitive with those two horses at 3200m.
Tokai Trick will jump from barrier four and will be ridden by Shinji Fujita who rode Eye Popper into second place in the 2005 Caulfield Cup and 12th in the Melbourne Cup that year.
Meanwhile Hong Kong trainer Peter Ho said he was "so happy" with the way Mr Medici performed when sixth in the Caulfield Cup which was his first run for five months.
"His fitness wasn't that good and he ran a bit keenly in the early part. The jockey (Gerald Mosse) tried to ease him down but he still wanted to go," Ho said.
"I didn't expect him to finish sixth in that race and I'm so happy his condition has improved.
Ho said Mr Medici was happy on wet ground and his win in the Champions and Chater Cup (2400m) at Sha Tin on October 16 indicated he could get the distance.
The trainer said barrier five was a very good draw for Mr Medici who has early speed and can take up a forward position which he did in the Caulfield Cup when he settled fifth.
Hong Kong-based Australian Darren Beadman will be aiming for his third Melbourne Cup success having been successful on Kingston Rule in 1990 and Saintly in 1996.
