Bauer is back. The gallant grey who was defeated by the narrowest of margins in the Melbourne Cup two years ago has returned to Australia fighting to make the 2010 Melbourne Cup field and get another chance to win the world’s richest handicap.

Trained by Luca Cumani, British galloper Bauer ran in the 2008 Melbourne Cup and went down by a mere nose in a devastatingly close photo-finish with Bart Cummings’ Viewed.

The Halling gelding was injured in that year’s Cup run and subsequently spelled for a lengthy period.

However, when most horses would have had their racing careers ended, Cumani pressed on with Bauer and it could just pay off with an historic win in the 2010 Melbourne Cup.

The now eight-year-old returned to the racing scene in early September, finishing fifth in the Persion Punch Conditions Stakes (2800m) in Salisbury this year.

Bauer then backed up with a better run in the Group 3 Arc Trial (2200m) at Newbury on September 17, coming in an eye-catching fourth.

From their connections sent Bauer Down Under, with the $6 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) on Tuesday November 2 the target.

Sitting 24^th on the order of entry, Bauer is now a whisker away from making the 150^th Melbourne Cup field.

So can he make the Melbourne Cup field, and if he does line-up against 23 of the world’s best stayers, can Bauer become the 2010 Melbourne Cup winner?

Horse Facts – Bauer

• Jockey: Caulfield Cup winning jockey Chris Munce will ride Bauer in the 2010 Melbourne Cup if he gets a start
• Trainer: Luca Cumani
• Owners: Aston House Stud, O T I Racing
• Age: 8YO
• Gender: Gelding
• Breeding: by Halling (USA) from Dali’s Grey (GB)
• Career: 21-6-4-1
• Prize Money: $1,111,399
• Current Melbourne Cup Odds: $13 Luxbet

If a horse below Bauer wins The Lexus Stakes at Flemington’s Derby Day this weekend, Bauer could be bumped out of the Melbourne Cup field as the Lexus Stakes winner earns a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption.

“I would be disappointed and surprised if he doesn’t get in,” Cumani said.

Luca Cumani, who’s other Melbourne Cup starter was 2007 runner-up Purple Moon, has two of his other stablestars still entered for the Melbourne Cup, with Manighar and Drunken Sailor.

While Manighar is a definite for the race sitting 21^st on the Melbourne Cup ballot, Drunken Sailor is likely to miss out on a spot sitting 32^nd on the order of entry.

Five-year-old Manighar is currently the $13 third favourite following So You Think and Shocking in the Melbourne Cup odds at Luxbet, having run a gallant fifth in the Caulfield Cup at their Australian debut a fortnight ago.

Cumani said of Manighar and their chances in this year’s Melbourne Cup, “He is similar to horses I have brought before, particularly Purple Moon, but I think the Melbourne Cup is getting stronger. The two miles will suit him better than the mile-and-a-half of the Caulfield Cup.”

Drunken Sailor is a $151 long-shot, failing to impress running a distant 11^th in the Geelong Cup and although nominated, unlikely to be paid up for the Group 3 The Lexus Stakes (2500m) this Saturday and therefore ruled out of Cup contention.

“I know the owners want me to pay up (for The Lexus) but I don’t believe he’s the sort of horse who could back up three days later in a Melbourne Cup,” Cumani said of Drunken Sailor.

If Bauer makes it into the starting line-up for the Melbourne Cup, the proven stayer has what it takes to cause an upset.

Bauer’s fate hangs on the Victoria Derby Day results this Saturday so make sure you stay tuned to Races.com.au all day for the best race previews, betting tips, results and of course the announcement of the 2010 Melbourne Cup final field at 5:00pm (AEDST)!

In the meantime, check out the latest Melbourne Cup odds and enjoy the Tote + 20% on all the Flemington races this Saturday by signing up with Luxbet today!