South-west stayers converge on Melbourne

Newly-adopted Basaltico ($81) is one of three south-west-trained gallopers featuring in the $100,000 race.

Wilde said the seven-year-old, which had been plagued by foot ailments, was not ready for the challenge.

“We’ve had him third hand and this will only be our second run with him,” Wilde said.

“It’s very hard to think he’ll be competitive.

“(But) the owners are keen to run him on Melbourne Cup Day.

“He shapes up like a stayer but I think the distance will be too much too soon.”

While Basaltico may not be up for the task, he is familiar with the big Flemington stage.

Under the guidance of European trainer Luca Cumani, the bay gelding raced in last year’s Melbourne Cup (3200m). Basaltico came 18th.

He had an 18-week spell after the Cup and returned to the track in March. From four starts, the highest he

placed was seventh.

Basaltico had a 20-week spell before being tested at Moonee Valley in the $200,000 JRA Cup (2040m).

He finished 15 lengths adrift of Precedence, which today is one of the leading Melbourne Cup contenders behind stablemate So You Think.

“But he would have benefited from the run,” Wilde said.

After a four-week break, Basaltico will jump from barrier 17 with winning Caulfield Cup jockey Chris Munce on board.

“It’s been a very long-winded preparation,” Wilde said.

“Perhaps we just have to bite the bullet and see how he

goes.”

Wilde, who trains in partnership with his son Symon, said the soft track could suit Basaltico.

“He’s got a little bit of wet track form,” he said.

“He’ll go through the ground OK and stick on.”

Yangery trainer Jarrod McLean and Camperdown’s Denis Daffy also have interests in the race.

Wilde said McLean’s Buffett ($81) and Daffy’s Miles

Above ($16) were better hopes than Basaltico.

Snapparazi, trained by Hamilton’s Barbara Marshman, is an emergency for the $100,000 MSS Security Sprint

(1200m).