Dandino missed the placings in his final lead-up run before making the trip to Australia for the 2014 Melbourne Cup, but managing co-owner Darren Dance said that he was satisfied with the effort of the Caulfield Cup runner-up in the Group 3 September Stakes (2414m) at Kempton.

Dandino was not overly impressive in the September Stakes at Kempton on Saturday night. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Dandino was well-supported heading into the September Stakes, but he was settled towards the tail of the field and was never able to get into the race before working home fairly to finish fourth, more than seven lengths behind the winner Prince Bishop.

“We were happy enough with his run,” Dance told Racing Ahead this morning.

“It was a really strange race to watch, they sort of went slow early and he was out back.

“At one stage I thought he was going to run last, but he got going in the straight and hit the line reasonably well without ever threatening.

“It was a decent enough race, the first and second horses of Godolphin are very good on-speed horses, and our bloke was happy.”

Dance revealed last week that Dandino would not contest the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 18, but he hinted that there could be a change of plans with the Dansili entire.

The Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock owner said that he would like to see Dandino run in both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup, but said a final decision would not be made until he discusses the seven-year-old with trainer Marco Botti tomorrow.

“We have a hook-up with Marco on Tuesday night to decide whether he comes on the first shipment or the second shipment,” Dance said.

“Marco has got the view that he is racing a little bit more dour this time in and is not showing that Caulfield Cup like speed in his races.

“He is hitting the line well more like a two miler and with an older horse that has been all around the world we just need to be a bit careful about where we go.

“Personally I would like to see him here for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup, but if he isn’t going to be competitive in the Caulfield Cup than there is no real point.

“The bottom line is that we want to give him the best possible chance to run well in a Melbourne Cup and if Marco believes that is the way to do it than that is the way to do it.”

Dandino is currently available at 2014 Melbourne Cup odds of $21 with Ladbrokes Australia.