Melbourne Cup winner Viewed and potential Melbourne Cup winner Roman Emperor have returned to Bart Cummings' Sydney stable to begin their spring preparations.Roman Emperor won the AJC Australian Derby on April 11 and was rested after finishing out of the placings in the weight-for-age Queen Elizabeth Stakes a week later.Viewed was sent to the paddock after a disappointing third to Fiumicino in the BMW and was subsequently found to have hoof abscess which went some way to reassuring the trainer t
Melbourne Cup winner Viewed and potential Melbourne Cup winner Roman Emperor have returned to Bart Cummings' Sydney stable to begin their spring preparations.
Roman Emperor won the AJC Australian Derby on April 11 and was rested after finishing out of the placings in the weight-for-age Queen Elizabeth Stakes a week later.
Viewed was sent to the paddock after a disappointing third to Fiumicino in the BMW and was subsequently found to have hoof abscess which went some way to reassuring the trainer there was an explanation for the performance.
Roman Emperor spelled at Cummings' property Princes Farm on the outskirts of Sydney while Viewed stayed at fellow owner Dato Tan Chin Nam's Think Big Stud in the NSW Southern Highlands.
"Roman Emperor back in the stable after five weeks spelling at the equine paradise - Princes Farm," Cummings said.
"Viewed was out at Think Big Stud and arrived back on Friday.
"The staying races in the spring will be targeted."
Viewed was kept to a weight-for-aged program during the autumn and weight will have a bearing on whether he targets back-to-back Cups.
As well as Roman Emperor, Cummings has Precedence among his leading Melbourne Cup aspirants.
The three-year-old won a 2390m race at Caulfield in April then finished a short neck second to Berlioz in the VRC St Leger (2800m) after a ride by Peter Mertens that didn't earn a lot of praise from the master.
"He should have won that race, the jockey went the wrong way" Cummings said.
"Precedence is a very promising stayer and he will head towards the Cup."
Dato Tan races the Zabeel colt in partnership with Cambridge Stud's Sir Patrick Hogan and the Dowager Duchess of Bedford who has raced many horses in New Zealand.
Viewed gave Cummings his 12th Melbourne Cup and Dato Tan his third when held off English horse Bauer.
He is at $21 to repeat the feat with corporate bookmakers who have Roman Emperor between $34 and $41.
Victoria Derby winner Rebel Raider heads markets at $17 following his return to form in the South Australian Derby after a lacklustre Sydney autumn campaign.