But, with star stayer Surprise Baby sitting as one of the local favourites for the race that stops a nation, it's now a stablemate's turn for a Cup assault.

Preusker will run Admire Robson in Saturday's Lexus Hotham Stakes, with a win securing a golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup.

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"I have got faith in the horse," he told racing.com.

"I reckon if I get him in, he runs a race. So I guess, for me, we will have a throw at the stumps in the Lexus (Stakes)."

Admire Robson - who is the son of champion Japanese racehorse Deep Impact - has been lightly raced, placing eight times from 12 career starts.

The seven-year-old opened the month with a seventh-place finish at the Bart Cummings - which Surprise Baby won in 2019 to secure a place in the Melbourne Cup.

Preusker was undeterred by the three-day turnaround between the Hotham Stakes and the Melbourne Cup.

"I know it's a quick back-up (if we were to win), but by gee, I was impressed with him the morning after (The Bart Cummings)," he said.

"He was ready to go again. So I'm convinced that's how (it will unfold)."

Admire Robson is currently 43rd on the Melbourne Cup order of entry, and paying just over $100 in some markets - though those odds are expected to plummet should he win on Saturday.

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The Cup-chance is the second favourite in the Hotham Stakes, paying $5.

Jockey Glenn Boss has been tasked with the golden ticket ride, continuing a winning combination with Admire Robson owner Ozzie Kheir.

Boss rode Sir Dragonet, also owned by Kheir, to victory in last week's $5 million Cox Plate.

Should Admire Robson achieve the remarkable, and gift Preusker a second Cup runner, Kheir and all other connections will be forced to watch from a distance.

It was announced this week that no owners will be allowed on course during Melbourne Cup week.

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