Alcopop

Courier Mail

Lincoln Moore
October 15, 2009 12:00am


The leading Melbourne Cup contender and his trainer returned to Victor Harbour on Tuesday and Stephens was already seeing the benefits of the decision to go into the $5.5 million feature at Flemington on November 3 without another lead-up run.

"He travelled well and ate up everything here last (Tuesday) night," Stephens said.

"He was very happy to be back here at home."

Stephens said Alcopop's determination and will to win was a large reason for the decision to bypass another start, preferring to keep his horse happy ahead of what could be one of the sport's greatest fairytales.

"He's the sort of horse who gives everything every time he races, and there wasn't another race that really suited him.

"Going into a race like the Melbourne Cup off a short break could jeopardise his chances," he said.

"He's backed up well before but we want to make sure everything is 100 per cent."

Stephens said it would be business as usual for Alcopop, the $7 second favourite for the Cup with TAB Sportsbet behind 2007 winner Efficient ($6).

"We'll just keep things as regular as possible between now and the Cup," he said.