German spring raider Protectionist is likely to run in the Group 2 Herbert Power Handicap before the Melbourne Cup, reports Racing Network.

The Prix Kergorlay winner is 13th on the Order Of Entry for the Melbourne Cup and guaranteed a run, but trainer Andreas Wohler says the Herbert Power would be a better lead-in run than the Caulfield Cup, because of the three weeks between the two races.

The last start winner of the Prix Kergorley (3000m) – the same race won by Americain before he came and won the Melbourne Cup in 2010, Protectionist has a serious turn of foot, an asset Wohler has told horseracing.com.au can win him Australia’s great race.

Protectionist is completing his two weeks quarantine at Newmarket before flying to Australia this weekend.

He is expected on the plane load of international raiders this Saturday.

"He is a horse that has improved from race to race and hopefully he keeps on improving.

"That is the key for the big race in Melbourne," Wohler said.

"He doesn't mind at all with big fields, he travels very well and he can go any pace.

"Last time it was good to see that he travelled well and still accelerated.

"It was a slow run race and he still sprinted well and we were really happy with that." he said.

Wohler said the Herbert Power (2400m) at Caulfield on October 11 (a week before the Caulfield Cup) was a likely target.

"That is our plan.

"If he takes to the travelling really well our plan is to have a run at Caulfield on the 11th in the Herbert Power Stakes and that is our target if everything goes well."