Pre Eminence will run in Saturday's Autumn Classic at Caulfield as a precursor to taking on the older horses in the Australian Cup a week later.Trainer Mick Price earmarked the three-year-old for the 2000 metre weight-for-age race on March 7 when he returned to the winner's list earlier than he expected in the Group Two Alister Clark Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on February 14."I'm considering it. Why wouldn't you," Price said.The Victoria Derby (2500m) third placegetter behind Rebel Raider a

Pre Eminence will run in Saturday's Autumn Classic at Caulfield as a precursor to taking on the older horses in the Australian Cup a week later.

Trainer Mick Price earmarked the three-year-old for the 2000 metre weight-for-age race on March 7 when he returned to the winner's list earlier than he expected in the Group Two Alister Clark Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on February 14.

"I'm considering it. Why wouldn't you," Price said.

The Victoria Derby (2500m) third placegetter behind Rebel Raider and Whobegotyou at Flemington last spring, Pre Eminence has won three of his nine starts including the Group Three Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield at his last outing before the Derby.

Three-year-olds Delzao and Victoria Derby winner Elvstroem ran second and third respectively behind Lonhro in the 2004 Australian Cup.

Natural Blitz was runner-up Northerly in 2003, while Victoria Derby winner Hit The Roof was second to Northerly in 2001.

The last three-year-old to win the Australian Cup was Saintly in 1996, with another three-year-old, Peep On The Sly, third that year.

Other three-year-olds to win the Australian Cup include Noble Peer in 1985, Dulcify in 1979 and Lord Dudley in 1976.

Whobegotyou is expected to line up in the Autumn Classic (1800m) after a delayed start to his campaign due to a foot abscess.

Rebel Raider will be missing from the Caulfield race with trainer Leon Macdonald opting to run him at Rosehill in the Hobartville Stakes instead.

The colt is being aimed at the AJC Australian Derby on April 11 and is due to arrive in Sydney on Monday.

At his first start since the Victoria Derby, Rebel Raider ran a fast-finishing fifth to Mic Mac at Moonee Valley on February 14 after being held up for a run.