Melbourne Cup favourite Maluckyday is likely to be a surprise starter in the Group One Futurity Stakes at Caulfield.Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said the four-year-old was scheduled to arrive in Melbourne on Thursday once a final a decision was made to launch his light autumn campaign in Saturday's 1400m weight-for-age feature."There is a good chance he will run at Caulfield on Saturday but he's still in Sydney and might stay there yet," Hawkes aid."He won't be a definite starter until he gets here."

Melbourne Cup favourite Maluckyday is likely to be a surprise starter in the Group One Futurity Stakes at Caulfield.

Co-trainer Wayne Hawkes said the four-year-old was scheduled to arrive in Melbourne on Thursday once a final a decision was made to launch his light autumn campaign in Saturday's 1400m weight-for-age feature.

"There is a good chance he will run at Caulfield on Saturday but he's still in Sydney and might stay there yet," Hawkes aid.

"He won't be a definite starter until he gets here."

Jim Cassidy has committed to Maluckyday and declined rides at Rosehill on Saturday to partner the son of Zabeel in the Futurity which attracted 14 entries.

Hawkes said Maluckyday had a month off after his eye-catching second to Americain in last year's Melbourne Cup and that he would only have a light autumn program.

A winner of five races and placed at his other four starts, Maluckyday finished fourth to Dances On Waves in a 900m barrier trial at Rosehill last Tuesday.

"He's good, really well," Hawkes said.

"He's going the right way, the big boy, that's for sure."

"You won't see many better looking horses than him."

Hawkes said the BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on April 2 was an obvious goal for Maluckyday.

"All those staying horses run in that race and it is worth a couple of million dollars," Hawkes said.

"It all comes around pretty quickly and he will probably only have three runs in the autumn.

"It is all about looking after him for the spring."

Maluckyday had his first campaign last autumn and gave a hint of his ability at his third start when third to Count Encosta and subsequent Caulfield Cup winner Descarado in the Group Two Tulloch Stakes (2000m).

He did not race again until the spring when he suddenly emerged from three restricted race performances to easily win the Listed Tatts Club Cup (2400m) and earn a start in the Melbourne Cup field with a stunning victory in the Group Three The Lexus (2500m) at Flemington on Derby Day.

TAB Sportsbet Maluckyday $6 favourite for the The BMW while Sportingbet Australia has him the $15 favourite for the Melbourne Cup.

The Futurity nominations also include multiple Group One winners Whobegotyou who is resuming after placing third in last year's Cox Plate and More Joyous who is coming off a first-up win in the Breeders Classic at Randwick last Saturday week.

Maluckyday's stablemate Dao Dao is set to resume after finishing a close second to Wall Street in the Group One Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington in November while other entries include New Zealander King Mufhasa, Ortensia, Masquerader, and Doubtful Jack.