Legendary trainer Bart Cummings has a definite last-minute starter in this afternoon’s $215 000 Group 3 Geelong Cup after the Russell Cameron-trained The Sportsman was scratched.

Cummings-trained Dandaad, the first emergency, will take The Sportsman’s place in the capacity field of 18.

Last year Cummings’ entry Moatize finished a gallant second to Luca Cumani’s Bauer and he will be hoping Dandaad can do the same if not better – winning him his first Geelong Cup.

Clare Lindop will mount Dandaad after ridding Moatize last year.

And with Cummings’ status and influence obvious, the bookies have taken no chances reacting quickly and firming Dandaad to second favourite at $7 just below English stayer Basaltico at $6.50. Cumani-trained Basaltico will be ridden by champion hoop Damien Oliver who rode Bauer to victory last year.

With 14 of the 18 entrants in the race on the Melbourne Cup trail, it will be an intense and important race as many are chasing victory to secure a start at Flemington on November 3.

If Dandaad can win for the Cups King and obtain a penalty, it will give Cummings four runners in the Melbourne Cup this year. Currently Dandaad is 66^th in order of entry for the race.