Trainer Mark Kavanagh's luck has taken a turn for the better with Shocking putting in a sparkling effort to win the Lexus Stakes, his final lead-up to the Melbourne Cup.The Kavanagh-trained Victoria Derby favourite Shamoline Warrior was scratched on Saturday morning with a high temperature.But Shocking's win put some joy back into the camp when he dominated the finish of the 2500m race to deny Hume a Cup start by 2-1/4 lengths.Already safely in the 24-horse field, Shocking is now on the second l

Trainer Mark Kavanagh's luck has taken a turn for the better with Shocking putting in a sparkling effort to win the Lexus Stakes, his final lead-up to the Melbourne Cup.

The Kavanagh-trained Victoria Derby favourite Shamoline Warrior was scratched on Saturday morning with a high temperature.

But Shocking's win put some joy back into the camp when he dominated the finish of the 2500m race to deny Hume a Cup start by 2-1/4 lengths.

Already safely in the 24-horse field, Shocking is now on the second line of betting for the Cup which has lost 2007 winner Efficient and European Kirklees.

"I'm happy with that," Kavanagh said.

"It was a dominant win and he's right where I want him for Tuesday.

"He's been set for the Cup all along."

However, Kavanagh's hopes that Shocking would get a penalty to bring his Cup weight up from 51 kilograms and open his options for a jockey were dashed by chief handicapper Greg Carpenter.

"They were the second tier stayers and Shocking was well beaten by Alcopop in the Herbert Power so there will be no penalty," Carpenter said.

Michael Rodd rode Shocking in the Lexus but cannot make his Cup weight.

Trainer Brian Smith was ruing the missed opportunity to get into the Cup with Hume who worked hard out wide after starting from barrier 12.

"The barriers made the difference between us and the winner who had two," he said.

"Hume had to win to qualify but we'll look at a race like the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

"I'm proud of him and how he's competed this spring."

Shocking started the $4.40 favourite ahead of Hume at $4.80.

Naval Escort did the best of Bart Cummings' two runners finishing fourth while Dandaad was 10th.

Kavanagh did not want to talk about the illness to Shamoline Warrior which came a year after raging favourite Whobegotyou was beaten by 100-1 shot Rebel Raider in the Derby.

"No more, I've had enough," he said.