A Melbourne Cup campaign could be on the cards for UK stayer Brown Panther following his emphatic win overnight in the Cantor Fitzgerald Henry II Stakes at Sandown in England.

Bred and part-owned by soccer star Michael Owen, the Tom Dascombe-trained six-year-old ran 8th in last year's Cup behind Fiorente. 

The Attheraces website says: 

'Richard Kingscote sat on the heels of the front-running German raider Girolamo, with the field coming over to the stands side in the straight, with the exception of Andrea Atzeni and Seismos.

'Kingscote stoked the 2-1 favourite up a quarter of a mile from home and after quickly getting the better of Girolamo in hitting the front a furlong out, his mount went nicely clear of High Jinx, who stayed on to be second-best but was never a serious threat three and a half lengths back.

'Dascombe said: "All he can do is turn up and do his best. He goes on any ground, trip doesn't seem to be an issue and we are delighted with him. Our horses rarely win first time out, he only had to beat a non-stayer when he won first-up at Chester so today was a test and realistically he had to come out on top if he was going to go for the Gold Cup.'