Connections of Saturday’s Lexus Stakes hopeful Let’s Make Adeal have secured the services of boom Irish apprentice Oisin Murphy for the 2014 Melbourne Cup should the Nigel Blackiston-trained mare make the cut for Tuesday week’s showdown.

Let’s Make Adeal needs to win Saturday’s Lexus Stakes to make the 24 starter 2014 Melbourne Cup field next Tuesday. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia.

Red Ransom five-year-old Let’s Make Adeal is one of a host of stayers vying for the coveted Melbourne Cup ballot exemption on offer to the winner of the $300,000 Group 3 Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington Racecourse on Victoria Derby Day this Saturday.

If all goes to plan and the improving Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) third placegetter wins the Lexus then Blackiston and owner Dennis Marks have confirmed she will back-up three days later in the $6.2 million Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4.

Currently Let’s Make Adeal sits 32^nd on the Melbourne Cup order of entry following today’s withdrawal of Gai Waterhouse’s Sydney Cup winner The Offer (6^th).

Should she win the Lexus and earn her spot in the capacity 24-starter Melbourne Cup field then it will be Murphy on her back in the ‘race that stops the nation’.

“We had spoken with Oisin about coming to ride Outback Joe if he made the race but when things went wrong with the horse we thought that was the end of it,” Blackiston told Racenet.

Let’s Make Adeal is light weight with only 50.5kg for the Melbourne Cup, narrowing down the jockeys available to make that weight.

“We found out a while ago that Dwayne Dunn (Araldo) and Chad Schofield (Green Moon) had standing arrangements for the race and we immediately contacted Oisin because we knew we’d have trouble getting a strong rider who could do her weight,” Blackiston said.

“Oisin won his first Listed race for us on Outback Joe in the Bagot Handicap, I love his style and the way he rides. He has gone from strength to strength in England this year so we’re delighted he has agreed to come out.”

The Melbourne Cup however is more than likely just a pipe dream for Let’s Make Adeal who is rated a $151 roughie shot in the latest markets at Ladbrokes.com.au led by Japan’s Caulfield Cup winning top weight Admire Rakti ($4.80).

Schofield is on her back for the Lexus Stakes on Saturday and was also in the saddle when the mare worked well alongside the John O’Shea-trained Victoria Derby-bound Gouldian over 2000m on the course proper at Flemington on Tuesday morning.

“Her work this morning was excellent,” Blackiston said after she ran her final 400m sectional in 25.41 seconds.

“She really appreciated the sting out of the ground and did exactly what I wanted her to do. Chad was very happy with her and so am I.

“She is the best she has been physically and is thriving. If she can get into the race then I’m sure she will be competitive.”

If you think Let’s Make Adeal is worth a sneaky each way bet at her generous Melbourne Cup odds then head to the bookie that does spring better, Ladbrokes.com.au!