Marco Botti is still keen on the chances of Jakkalberry in the Emirates Melbourne Cup, despite his defeat on debut in Australia on Saturday.
The Newmarket handler felt the six-year-old was short of a run in the Caulfield Cup in which he finished 13th of 18 behind Dunaden, six and a half lengths behind the winner.
"He has come out of the Caulfield Cup well. I would say he needed the run. There had been a long gap since he won the American St Leger," said Botti.
"He's quite a robust horse and takes a lot of work.
"We didn't really want to hammer him for the Caulfield Cup, so he should come on quite a lot and perhaps the track at Melbourne might suit him better than Caulfield.
"That was a very sharp track and it looked like going round the bends he got outpaced and then stayed on.
"Despite him finishing midfield I wouldn't be negative for the Melbourne Cup.
"He's a horse who goes there with a decent chance and perhaps he will be at his peak for that race. The extra distance will suit him as well."
