Trip To Paris second in Caulfield Cup with Snow Sky fifth

Trip To Paris had to settle for second behind favourite Mongolian Khan in the Group One BMW Caulfield Cup at Caulfield racecourse.

Ed Dunlop's Ascot Gold Cup winner was dropping back in trip to a mile and a half after contesting all the top staying races this term but Tommy Berry was happy to bury his mount in the pack in the early stages.

Damien Oliver opted for a prominent position aboard Sir Michael Stoute's Snow Sky though, sitting on the rail in the first five runners as Set Square set the early pace.

However, as the race began in earnest with around two and a half furlongs to run, Snow Sky was shuffled back in the field as Trip To Paris got a run up the inside rail.

Trip To Paris made up plenty of ground in the dying strides but Mongolian Khan, winner of the Australian Derby back in April, proved too strong and clung on to victory with ex-German runner Our Ivanhowe back in third.

Snow Sky stayed on again at the finish, eventually passing the post in fifth.

Trip To Paris was cut to 8/1 from 25s by Sky Bet for the Melbourne Cup following his excellent run and Robin Trevor-Jones, who is overseeing his preparation, is eager to see how he comes out of the race.

"We'll have a look - we've got to see how he pulls up from this," Trevor-Jones told www.racing.com

"Decisions have got to be made (about) what we do and exactly what happens.

"The plan is, obviously, to go for a Melbourne Cup.

"We'll just have to look at him in the morning and see how he is, and we'll work our way from there.

"I told everybody before he wasn't slow, but I don't think they listened to me.

"Of course he can (win the Melbourne Cup). Remember, he stands next to a big chestnut (Red Cadeaux) in the next stall who'll take some beating as well."

Red Cadeaux has finished second in the Melbourne Cup on three occasions and Trevor-Jones added: "It's going to be very sweet when I hit that first spot. It'll come."

Trevor-Jones also hailed Berry's efforts in the saddle.

He said: "Tommy's given him a super ride, midfield, paint on his boots all the way around.

"Quickened up when he was asked to, horse has done it well. Jockey gave it a great ride."

Berry added: "I don't think anyone would miss the run, he travelled really well for me in the run.

"Every time I asked of him, he picked up well and he sprinted through the gap at the top of the straight. I thought I was going to pick up the winner but he stole a bit of a march but the Melbourne Cup looks to be the right race for him now."

Oliver also felt Snow Sky had turned in a creditable Melbourne Cup prep run.

He said: "He ran well. Just held up around the turn and worked to the line nicely. A good Melbourne Cup trial and Flemington will suit him better."