Country Victorian galloper Moudre is looking down the barrel of an ambitions Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival campaign having been nominated for both the 2010 Caulfield and Melbourne Cups by trainer Ciaron Maher.

Five-year-old Blevic gelding Moudre improved his chances of making the 24-horse final field for the 150^th Melbourne Cup, set to run as Race 7 at Flemington on Tuesday November 2, after scoring a smart win at Flemington over the weekend.

Moudre, ridden by in-form hoop Craig Williams, claimed their fifth race victory from 11 starts in the $75,000 Keith Jackson and Colin Johnston Handicap (1410m) at Flemington on Saturday.

It was an impressive first-up win for Moudre, who is trained at Warrambool away from the hustle and bustle of the metropolitan racing scene but is looking to make his mark with more big wins in Melbourne.

Yet to win over 1,800m and prove themselves as a genuine stayer that will last the testing 3,200m distance of the Melbourne Cup, Moudre is still getting plenty of support from the punters in the early 2010 Melbourne Cup betting markets.

Now on the 15^th line of betting, Moudre is paying $21 for a Melbourne Cup win with [sportsbet].

His price was slashed after Saturday’s win and he is now on equal odds with seven other stars including John O’Shea’s Jessicabeel and Zabrasive, and Japan’s Meiner Kitz.

It will be a big mission to get Moudre into the 2010 Melbourne Cup final field, but Maher is confident if he gets there he has what it takes to win.

Also paying $21 at [sportsbet] to win the 2010 Caulfield Cup on October 16, Moudre is a great bush horse whose career, in many ways, mimics that of Alcopop who was the fairytale Melbourne Cup starter last year before finishing sixth.

Maher is looking to qualify Moudre for the Cups via the same race Alcopop used last year, the Group 2 Herbert Power Handicap (2400m) on October 9 at Caulfield Guineas Day.

It is a very competitive log-jam for a spot in the Melbourne Cup this year after a strong international contingent have been nominated.

Leigh Jordan from Racing Victoria has stated up to eight overseas raiders could run in the 2010 Melbourne Cup meaning local hopefuls including Moudre must work even harder to qualify.

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