Two years since his failed Melbourne Cup mission, Hume will attempt to launch another bid for the famous Flemington feature at Doomben on Saturday.Trainer Brian Smith set Hume on the Melbourne Cup path in 2009 but the then six-year-old failed to qualify after being runner-up to eventual Cup winner Shocking in the Group Three Lexus Stakes at Flemington."We paid $44,000 for a late nom for the Melbourne Cup but he still didn't make the field when he was beaten by Shocking in the Lexus," Smith said.

Two years since his failed Melbourne Cup mission, Hume will attempt to launch another bid for the famous Flemington feature at Doomben on Saturday.

Trainer Brian Smith set Hume on the Melbourne Cup path in 2009 but the then six-year-old failed to qualify after being runner-up to eventual Cup winner Shocking in the Group Three Lexus Stakes at Flemington.

"We paid $44,000 for a late nom for the Melbourne Cup but he still didn't make the field when he was beaten by Shocking in the Lexus," Smith said.

Hume subsequently suffered a serious tendon injury which almost ended his career after finishing fifth in the Group Three Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2500m) four days after the Melbourne Cup.

He spent almost 20 months recuperating from the leg injury before making his comeback during the recent Brisbane winter carnival.

In four starts this campaign, Hume's best effort was a strong-finishing third over 1500 metres at Eagle Farm on July 9 before his last-start seventh to Work The Room in the Listed Tattersall's Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm last month.

"He ran a good race last start and he's trained on well," Smith said ahead of Hume's assignment in Saturday's Next Byte Hcp (1630m).

"He's not ready for a 2000-metre race yet but he'll still be very competitive over a mile."

Next month's Group Three Newcastle Cup (2300m) and possibly the Group One The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on October 1 have been pencilled in for Hume.

Smith won the Newcastle Cup in 2006 with Bikkie Tin Blues.

"He could have another run here before he goes away or he might have to run in Sydney first before he starts in the Newcastle Cup," Smith said.

"He'll be nominated for the Melbourne Cup and if he goes there he'll probably only have time for one lead-up run in Melbourne."

Smith, who turned 70 on the horse's birthday on August 1, believes time and good training facilities at Eagle Farm have been the key with Hume making a full recovery from his tendon injury.

"I'm lucky that I've been allowed to use the good training facilities at Eagle Farm with him as well as giving him plenty of time to get over the injury," he said.

"He's been in work for nearly a year getting the leg right.

"I had him in work for a solid month and sent him to Yandina Lodge near Caloundra to exercise on a water-walker for another month as part of his rehabilitation."

Meanwhile, Jim Byrne has five rides at Doomben after being suspended for seven meetings for careless riding at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.

Stewards found the jockey guilty of allowing his mount Karma Force to shift in passing the 700 metres of the Cellarbrations Maiden Plate (1000m).

His suspension starts at midnight next Thursday.