Bart Cummings has already started planning his assault on a 13th Melbourne Cup.

Cummings, who is a firm believer that horses are better off in the training yard than they are in the spelling paddock, has bought Precedence back into work ahead of this year’s spring carnival.

“Precedence has been back at Saintly Place for a few weeks now.

“I bring the spring horses back in mid-May, I’ve done it that way for three decades. When it gets cold you have to look after them.” Cummings said.

Precedence was less than disgraced during his 2010 spring campaign. He won the JRA Cup at Moonee Valley and the Moonee Valley Cup before finishing eighth in the Melbourne Cup.

Cummings made the unusual decision to geld Precedence as a five year old at the end of his 2010 Spring campaign.

Precedence was then bought back for a short, but ultimately unsuccessful autumn campaign. He finished down the track in the Orr Stakes and second in the St. George Stakes before running a credible fifth behind Shocking in the Australia Cup.

Cummings has indicated that he will use his time honoured method of getting the son of Zabeel fit and ready for a tilt at the Cups during the spring.

“He will start out around the middle of August in a six furlong race and then step up to 1400 or 1600 and onwards from there.

“It will be the same program I have used many times before.” Cummings said.

Precedence races in the Dato Tan Chin Nam racing colours made famous by Saintly and So You Think, and is part owned by Cambridge Stud proprietor Sir Patrick Hogan and the Dowager Duchess of Bedford.

Precedence is currently rated a $51 chance in Melbourne Cup all-in markets. Last year’s runner up Maluckyday is favourite at $13, while defending champion Americain is quoted as a $17 chance.