Queensland stayer Hume is ready to win Saturday’s Group 3 The Lexus Stakes (2500m) in order to secure his place in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup race.

The Brian Smith-trained six year old needs to win The Lexus to qualify for the top 24 places in the $5.5 million race.

Ridden by jockey Stathi Katsidis in Saturday’s race, Hume will be Smith’s third Melbourne Cup contender after Sir Zephyr in1985 and Circles of Gold in 1996.

Hume has been training well over 2000 meters with a strong run at Flemington on Tuesday where he ran a mile in 1:49.0 and came home in the final 400m in 22.9 seconds.

Hume’s most recent performance was in the Group 3 Coongy Handicap (2000m) at Caulfield on October 17 where he finished fourth behind Baughurst.

Although he held up early, the light framed horse picked up speed late and managed to get ahead of majority of the pack.

Smith is interested in seeing how Hume measures up against some of the country’s greatest staying horses and so far believes the trip to Melbourne was worth it.

The gelding is only carrying 50kg in the Melbourne Cup however this weight is expected to increase if he can win The Lexus Stakes this Saturday.