English stayer Manighar has given the Luca Cumani stable confidence this could be its year to win the Melbourne Cup.After going desperately close with second placegetters Bauer in 2008 and Purple Moon in 2007, Manighar was one of the best runs in Saturday's Caulfield Cup, finishing fifth to Descarado.Cumani's wife Sara said Manighar had a superficial cut on a hind leg but had recovered well from the Cup."He has eaten up and he didn't have a very long blow after the race," Cumani said.Manighar is

English stayer Manighar has given the Luca Cumani stable confidence this could be its year to win the Melbourne Cup.

After going desperately close with second placegetters Bauer in 2008 and Purple Moon in 2007, Manighar was one of the best runs in Saturday's Caulfield Cup, finishing fifth to Descarado.

Cumani's wife Sara said Manighar had a superficial cut on a hind leg but had recovered well from the Cup.

"He has eaten up and he didn't have a very long blow after the race," Cumani said.

Manighar is now on the second line of TAB Sportsbet's Melbourne Cup market at $13.

"Everything is good," Cumani said.

Manighar got back further than the stable had hoped at Caulfield but hit the line well.

"We could have been a little bit closer to the pace, that would have been nicer, but the horse has run fine and Damien (Oliver) was happy with him."

Cumani said stablemate Becqu Adoree, who was seventh in Saturday's David Jones Cup (2000m), had also pulled up well.

Becqu Adore is still in the Melbourne Cup as is Geelong Cup-bound stablemate Drunken Sailor and Bauer who is on the comeback trail from a tendon injury.

Cumani said Bauer, who has a fear of flying, was progressing well towards the Melbourne Cup.

She said the flight to Australia earlier this month was an ordeal for him but he had settled in well at the Werribee International Horse Centre.

"He has to be heavily sedated on a plane because every time it takes off and lands he gets very upset and restless and panicky," Cumani said.

"He gives himself such a hard time on the flight that it is amazing that he recovers as quickly as he does."

Cumani said Bauer's coat was yet to come through but she was optimistic he would be at his top for the Melbourne Cup.

"It is not ideal not running before Cup but he ran such a good race last time out (when sixth at Newbury) we think he deserves his chance," Cumani said.

"He is still a bit woolly and not match-fit yet but we have got another two weeks.

"We are feeling our way with him but so far so good."