Rostropovich (Image: Steven Cargill/Racingfotos.com)
Connections of progressive Irish raider Rostropovich have all but conceded that Saturday's tilt at the Cox Plate is a dress rehearsal for the Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m).
Aidan O'Brien's travelling foreman TJ Comerford said that while he couldn't be happier with the Frankel colt's condition since arriving in Australia, he would likely find a superior adversary in the form of Winx.
Rostropovich was runner-up to Latrobe in the Irish Derby (2400m) earlier this year and landed a Group 3 at Leopardstown at his final start before entering quarantine in September, and the Cup has long been mooted as his primary aim in Melbourne.
"We took Winx on before with Highland Reel and we only came out third best that day but Highland Reel was a very good horse as well," Comerford said.
"We're privileged to take part in the race more than anything and we're just hoping to run well.
"He got here in good shape, he looks well so we're going to let him take his chance and see what he can do and hopefully it can keep him right for the Melbourne Cup.
"His main target is the Melbourne Cup but we thought we might as well do this on the way."
Rostropovich, who has 51kg and sits 14th in the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup, is rated a $31 outsider (bet365) in the Cox Plate and a $17 prospect in the Melbourne Cup.