The traditional pre-Melbourne Cup international media morning took place at Werribee on Sunday and some of the horses had slightly harder hit outs than expected towards Tuesday’s race. Here are the thoughts of some of the connections and a summary of each horse’s work:

DANDINO: Just cantered a mile of the track this morning. Managing owner Darren Dance had no hesitation in endorsing Dandino’s chances in the Melbourne Cup following his slashing Caulfield Cup effort.

“After having Jakkalberry here last year, Marco Botti said that if you’re going to bring a horse half way around the world that it makes sense for him to run in both races. He was really trained up for the Caulfield Cup – he went super – but while there is a little double over him over two miles he has gone to another level under this trainer and drawing barrier four gives me a lot of confidence,” Dance added.

SIMENON: Began with walking a lap of the course then cantering a couple of laps. Track rider Emmet Mullins agrees that this horse may be escaping many peoples attention and that his work has been very consistent particularly since they were pleased with his third-placing in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes.

TRES BLUE: A light canter this morning over 1400-metres. Gai Waterhouse has really wound the work rate back. It is worth noting that Tommy Berry has ridden the horse in work for most of the week in the lead-up.

“He’s in the race with 51-kilos on his back and thankfully he has travelled well and everything has gone to plan so far. He’s come off two strong weight-for-age races in France and came here quick confident and full of himself but Gai has got him to refocus. He’s on a steep learning curve, bright eyed, happy and happy horses run to their best”, said bloodstock adviser Bruce Slade.

MOUNT ATHOS: Worked with the lead pony once again today with Craig Williams on board. He was led off from the 1200-mark for an easy canter then cantered a similar distance a second time clicked to about half pace this time leading the pony and was let stride to the line.

Owner Dr Marwan Koukash says that even though barrier 22 is less than ideal they still have 1000-metres to get him where they want him to be.

“I would rather be on my horse in gate 22 or 23 than the majority of other horses in the race, he is stronger than last year, he looks better he feels better and is in better form”, he said.

“It is more important, I think, that we have Craig Williams on board who is tactician and I don’t there there is anyone better than him in overcoming a wide draw.”

VEREMA: This mare did some surprisingly strong work a couple of days out and certainly quicker than her work over the past week. Began with an easy canter over 1000-metres and taken easily down the straight. Then went about half pace from over a similar distance and let stride to the line. The Aga Khan’s daughter, Princess Zara, is representing the Prince said that this horse does have the class as shown in France and that this the mare is an excellent first opportunity for a horse to race in the Aga Khan’s ownership for the first time.

RUSCELLO: Just walked a lap of the track today following winning Group 2 The Lexus (2500m) to gain automatic entry to the Cup. “I needed to be convinced that the horse was OK this morning whether or not he should run in the Cup but he passed the vet check and he has come out of it really well so accepting was a pretty much a no-brainer. He has eaten very well overnight”, said trainer Ed Dunlop.

DUNADEN: Cantered from the mile on two occasions this morning and clicked up down the straight. Sheikh Fahad is fresh off a win with Side Glance in the MacKinnon Stakes and was confident enough with Dunaden’s form overseas and that he continues to look and travel well despite being eights years old. He also warned that many people may be forgetting him to easily.

VOLEUSE DE COUERS: This mare had a light canter over a mile today and Mike Moroney continues to be pleased with her progress. He said that she has maintained a good level of residual fitness from the runs prior to arriving in Melbourne. Interestingly he said that any Melbourne Cup win would also be attributable to Dermot Weld’s effort in training her to that stage.

ROYAL EMPIRE: Walked a lap of the track this morning and cantered down the straight. Reiterating Saeed bin Suroor’s comments from during the week; he is pleased with the horse’s progress and believes that he is the right horse to bring to a Melbourne Cup.

BROWN PANTHER: A canter from the 1400-metre mark today and clicked up from the 400-metres and pushed out nicely. As usual he went straight back into the barn after that work. Owner and former star footballer Michael Owen was satisfied with Brown Panther’s condition and confirmed that the Melbourne Cup has been a 12-month goal after missing the chance last year.

RED CADEAUX: Just a canter over a mile today and trainer Ed Dunlop confirmed  that the horse seems well enough in himself and considering his age is going well. Drawing a wider gate seems to haunt this horse but Dunlop isn’t letting that concern him.

Of the other horses at Werribee heading towards other races…

LUCKY NINE: Faster work is expected at least once this week but this morning Lucky Nine walked and trotted a lap and cantered from the 1400-metres make to the top of the straight. (Next run: Group 1 VRC Sprint Classic, 1200m, 9 November)

SIDE GLANCE: Track rider Leanne Masterton reports that Side Glance has pulled up very well from yesterdays MacKinnon Stakes win and is most likely now to head to Kong Kong for the International Vase (2000m) or International Mile.

MULL OF KILLOUGH: Just a light canter over 1400-metres this morning and seemed comfortable walking around the yard. (Tuesday: Race 8 Listed Visit Victoria Plate, 1800m)

FORGOTTEN VOICE: Trotted a lap and cantered another lap of the course this morning with seven days until his next start. (Next run: Group 2 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, 2600m, 9 November)

STIPULATE: Just a light canter around the course for this horse. (First run: Group 1 Emirates Stakes, 1600m, 9 November)

HAVANA GOLD: Sheikh Fahad noted that he was pleased enough with this horse’s progress. Worked as usual with Dunaden cantering off the mile-marker on two occasions just easily down the straight. (First run: Group 1 Emirates Stakes, 1600m, 9 November)

CARAVAN ROLLS ON: A morning off for this horse before a run at Flemington on Cup Day. (Tuesday: Race 3 Carnival Handicap 2800m)

Click here to view the profiles for all of the international contenders.