Alcopop, the bay gelding from the bush who was the beaten favourite in last year’s Melbourne Cup, is due back on the track this Saturday on way to a run in the 2010 Melbourne Cup.

The Jake Stephens-trained six-year-old hasn’t raced since he finished dead-last in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) back in March.

After finishing sixth to Shocking in the 2009 Melbourne Cup, Alcopop had a disappointing two runs during autumn after being struck down by a virus that ended his season early.

Stephens is hoping for improvement this spring, Alcopop reportedly back at top fitness, as he again targets the esteemed Melbourne Cup on Tuesday November 2 at Flemington.

Alcopop was due to resume racing a fortnight ago in the Spring Stakes but had to be scratched due to mucus in his trachea.

Instead he is scheduled to start his spring campaign tomorrow as the drawcard in the $80,000 Listed Penny Edition Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville.

The gelding pleased Stephens in a beach workout earlier in the week, but he will scratch Alcopop from his belated first-up run if blood test results due back today don’t satisfy him.

Odds-on favourite for the Penny Edition Stakes is Moment In Time at $5.50 through [sportsbet], while despite still being under a cloud of doubt to start, Alcopop is paying $8.

Both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups are on the agenda for Alcopop this spring carnival.

Currently Alcopop is near the top of both markets paying $26 for the 2010 Caulfield Cup and the 2010 Melbourne Cup through [sportsbet], with his odds sure to shorten if he wins tomorrow.

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