Racing Victoria chief handicapper Greg Carpenter says this year's Melbourne Cup has laid the foundation for an even better event for the 150th running of the famous race in 2010.He said Cup winner Shocking, emerging star Alcopop and the continuing good form of the international runners were all positives for the future."Shocking was a progressive horse going into the Hotham Handicap (Lexus Quality) and he tightened up after the win on Saturday," Carpenter said."We saw his run in the Queensland D

Racing Victoria chief handicapper Greg Carpenter says this year's Melbourne Cup has laid the foundation for an even better event for the 150th running of the famous race in 2010.

He said Cup winner Shocking, emerging star Alcopop and the continuing good form of the international runners were all positives for the future.

"Shocking was a progressive horse going into the Hotham Handicap (Lexus Quality) and he tightened up after the win on Saturday," Carpenter said.

"We saw his run in the Queensland Derby (when he finished second) so we knew he had ability and obviously he has put it all together on the day to win the Cup.

"I hope as a four-year-old, turning five, he will come back next year and be one of the key players."

He said once again the international horses made an impact with Godolphin placing second in the Cup for the third time with Crime Scene who fought out the finish with Shocking to go down by less than a length, while the South African-trained Mourilyan was 1-1/2 lengths away third.

"Once again there are terrific runs from some of the internationals," Carpenter said.

"Godolphin with Crime Scene looked very pleased after the race so they are going to be encouraged to come back and Mourilyan ran very, very well."

Alcopop, who has won seven races and was having only his 11th race start in the Cup, impresses Carpenter as a horse of the future.

"You have to say he is going to be more seasoned next year," Carpenter said.

"I think he ran a very good race but probably his lack of experience showed.

"The fact that in 12 months time he will be a better and stronger horse gives you some encouragement for next year."

Last year's Melbourne Cup winner Viewed was forced onto the heels of runners when trying to make ground but still finished seventh.

"He ran very well but not well enough under 58kg," said Carpenter who was criticised for penalising the six-year-old only a kilogram for his Caulfield Cup win.

"It just shows again that while the top-weighted horses look well in, it is still an enormous challenge for them to convert that into winning the race."

Carpenter also noted the effort of Master O'Reilly who for the second time in his three Melbourne Cup starts finished fourth.

"Master O'Reilly really put in a great performance again," Carpenter said.

He said this year's Cup lost nothing in the context of history and it was an exciting time ahead for the race.

"It was a good Cup and it is very nice to now look forward 12 months to the 150th running of the Cup," he said.

"It is going to be a great race next year."