Four-year-old Zupacool has appreciated a firm track and run a track record to win the Bendigo Cup but his return to form has come too late for the headline races this spring.Co-trainers John Symons and Sheila Laxon, who trained 2001 Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal, were aiming the son of Redoute's Choice at the Cups double but he failed to qualify on rain-affected tracks."We really wanted him in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups but he didn't qualify in time," Symons said."We rolled t

Four-year-old Zupacool has appreciated a firm track and run a track record to win the Bendigo Cup but his return to form has come too late for the headline races this spring.

Co-trainers John Symons and Sheila Laxon, who trained 2001 Caulfield and Melbourne Cup winner Ethereal, were aiming the son of Redoute's Choice at the Cups double but he failed to qualify on rain-affected tracks.

"We really wanted him in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups but he didn't qualify in time," Symons said.

"We rolled the dice with him last start in the Cranbourne Cup on a wet track but it didn't work so we have come here for a change of luck.

"We have been waiting for a good track but everywhere we take him all around Australia it just rains.

"He is the best drought-breaker of all time."

Zupacool has raced in three states and in June struck a heavy track when he finished seventh to Court Ruler in the Queensland Derby (2400m).

After finishing fifth in the Cranbourne Cup (2025m) he was fancied at $7.50 in the Bendigo Cup which was his fourth run this campaign.

It was clear rounding the home turn that he would need luck and after being held up trying to get a run in the straight jockey Luke Nolen threaded his way through the field on the entire to snatch a neck win over Crossthestart ($7.50) and last year's Ballarat Cup winner Daka's Gem ($26).

"The weather held today and he has done the job," Symons said.

Zupacool covered the 2200 metres in 2:15 flat to shave 0.6 seconds off the course record.

Nolen said there was not much room in the straight but Zupacool showed courage to dash through a closing gap at a critical time of the race.

"It went from a nice run to a neat run but he got through it okay," Nolen said.

New Zealander Gallions Reach needed to finish in the first three to convince trainer Richard Yuill to run him in the Melbourne Cup but could only finish fifth.

Ridden by Craig Newitt he followed the leader Red Buttons and hit the front in the straight but couldn't finish off.

Another Melbourne Cup hope, Capecover, was under an injury cloud before the Bendigo Cup and finished seventh after making a run from last in the 15-horse field.

Gallions Reach is currently 24th in order of elimination for the Melbourne Cup while Capecover is 26th on the list.