Irish stayer Royal Diamond has shot into Melbourne Cup contention following a dominant performance in the Listed Challenge Stakes at Leopardstown overnight, reports Betstar.com.au.

Eskander’s Betstar is currently the only bookmaker to include the Group one Irish St Leger winner in both its Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup markets. The seven-year-old has firmed from $81 into $41 for the Cup after his emphatic win.  

 “Royal Diamond was touted as a likely Cups horse last year with his great second in the Ebor behind the Godolphin galloper Willing Foe,” says Alan Eskander. “Willing Foe started this prep with an arrogant six-length win for Godolphin, and currently sits a $34 chance for the Melbourne Cup. One could suggest Royal Diamond has improved since then, also having changed to the stables of Johnny Murtagh in Ireland for his past two starts.”

Royal Diamond has also shortened to $34 from $51 in the Caulfield Cup market.

Eskander says he’ll be surprised if the Irish horse didn’t head to Australia for the spring. 

“I think Murtagh realises this horse will be suited to a handicap like the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and I will be very keen to see how he goes next time out,” Eskander said. “According to all reports the Ballyroan Stakes (August 8) looks the most likely next target, two days after nominations close for the Caulfield Cup. I daresay there will be a few more eyes on him then, if his name does appear in those nominations, which I can only presume it will.”

Meanwhile, last year’s Melbourne Cup runner-up Fiorente is the talk of the town after after his stunning trial win over 1400 metres at Royal Randwick. The Gai Waterhouse-trained horse is second pick for the Melbourne Cup at $10, just behind favourite Puissance De Lune ($8). Fiorente has also firmed slightly in the Cox Plate from $13 to $11 following this morning’s impressive run, while It’s A Dundeel and Super Cool maintain favouritism at $5.50.