Aidan O'Brien with the Melbourne Cup (Image: VRC)
Irish legend Aidan O'Brien is set to continue to influence the major spring Cups markets in Melbourne when he saddles three of the six runners in Wednesday night's Group 2 Great Voltigeur Stakes (2400m) at York.
O'Brien has the $2.40 favourite Los Angeles, as well as $6 chance Illinois and $41 outsider Euphoric, all of which are entered for the Caulfield Cup.
Last week, O'Brien's Melbourne-entered stayer Grosvernor Square jumped onto the second line of Melbourne Cup betting with 20-length Irish St Leger Trial (2800m) romp at the Curragh, while at the same venue stablemate Continuous took the G3 Royal Whip Stakes (2000m) to stake his claims.
Among O'Brien's feature-race entries is his G1 star Auguste Rodin. Despite obvious doubts about him making the trip, he is currently the $13 equal favourite for the Caulfield Cup and a $15 chance in the Cox Plate.
With 19 Caulfield Cup entries, 12 Cox Plate entries and the promise of at least as many Melbourne Cup entries when nominations close on September 3, O'Brien has clearly signalled his intentions of taking part in the carnival.
On Wednesday night, the G2 Great Voltigeur Stakes (2400m) should again have Melbourne Cup relevance as will a number of other races in England and Ireland.
In recent years, the Great Voltigeur has managed to impact the Melbourne Cup, with Godolphin galloper Cross Counter running second at York before his ground-breaking Flemington triumph in 2018 and four years later Deauville Legend won the Great Voltigeur before running fourth at Flemington.
The G1 Juddmonte International (2000m) is also likely to fall O'Brien's way with the hot favourite City Of Troy, but there is a watch on OTI Racing's G1 Royal Ascot runner-up Docklands, who is being set for the Cox Plate.
On Thursday, recently purchased three-year-old Birdman will attempt to pass the Melbourne Cup's first ballot clause when he contests the Listed Vinnie Roe Stakes (2800m) at Leopardstown.
Now owned by Ozzie Kheir and partners, with Chris Waller earmarked to train in Australia, Birdman is entered for the Caulfield Cup and is expected to be among the entries for the Melbourne Cup.
On Friday at York, aside from Asfoora's attempt on the G1 Nunthorpe Stakes (1000), last year's beaten Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban runs in the G2 Lonsdale Cup (2400m) on his way to potentially another shot at Australia's greatest race.
Andrew Balding also has Caulfield Cup entrant Alsakib set for the Lonsdale Cup.
At York on Saturday is the Ebor, which is the only international race that allows its winner a ballot-free run in the Melbourne Cup.
The main interest here is two-time Melbourne Cup winner Dermot Weld's stayer Harbour Wind, as well as Brian Ellison's well-performed Onesmoothoperator.