Trainer Marco Botti is confident his ex-German stayer Seismos will perform better in the 2014 Melbourne Cup on Tuesday than when he finished 15th behind Admire Rakti in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) last time out.

In fact, the trainer claims the 2014 Caulfield Cup was never going to be a good result for the seven-year-old gelding.

“I never actually thought coming here that he was going to be a Caulfield Cup horse,” Botti told Racing Victoria.

“I didn’t think he was going to be a chance in that race because the track was too tight for him and he takes his time to really get going.

“I’m sure the Melbourne Cup trip (3200m) will suit him much better.”

Botti may have good reason to not be concerned with Seismos’ last start form considering he prepared Jakkalberry to finish third behind Green Moon in the 2012 edition of the Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) after finishing 13th in the 2012 Caulfield Cup as his final lead-up. He was beaten 6.4 lengths in the race while Seismos was just five lengths off winner Admire Rakti.

“He’s had a good prep. He was only beaten five lengths in the Caulfield Cup and I’m sure the race will bring him on,” the trainer continued.

“I have seen him the last two days and the horse looks happy. Paul (Francis) has been riding him every day and he believes the Caulfield Cup has sharpened him up.”

Before finishing 15th in the Caulfield Cup, Seismos finished just outside the placings in the Group 2 Prix Nieuil (2800m) before winning the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer (2700m) ahead of Melbourne Cup rival Willing Foe.

Seismos is a $41 shot in the Melbourne Cup betting market at Ladbrokes.com.au, drifting out from $34 after drawing barrier one.

The inside barriers can be tricky and overwhelming in a race with such a large field like the Melbourne Cup, with no winner coming from barrier one since Kingston Rule in 1990.

Botti is just hoping for a strong start from the gelding, who isn’t known for his quick starts from the stalls, so he can get into a good rhythm for the race.

“Being drawn in one I suppose is better than being drawn the outside because he’s not the quickest horse from the stalls but at the same time he needs to be ridden up on the pace,” Botti said.

“It’s important that we break well and get into a good spot.

“Hopefully, he won’t be stuck on the rails as he’s a horse that takes his time to get into top gear.

“It’s important for him to have a clear run.”

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