He’s a horse that hasn’t had a single Australian start before going into the 2011 Melbourne Cup but that hasn’t stopped Jukebox Jury from continuing to firm in the betting markets.

The work is being done form him as rivals he’s previously vanquished win races making him look like an increasingly solid prospect.

The latest to do this was Americain when he won the Moonee Valley Cup, Jukebox Jury having beaten him easily earlier in the year.

Trainer Mark Johnston says he’s continued to do everything right in the lead up to the Melbourne Cup and the betting plunge is well justified.

“The form has worked out extremely well and that’s why he (Jukebox Jury) has been dropping in the betting,” Johnston said.

“Everything we know about European horses going to the Melbourne Cup, I think Jukebox Jury ticks most of the boxes.

“He’s won exactly the right races – the Prix Kergorlay and the Irish (St) Leger.”

Jukebox Jury was at one stage paying double figures for the 2011 Melbourne Cup but now he’s into as short as 20 to 1.

In fact Johnston says the only possible drawback is the 57kg weight.

“He’s got a fair old weight in the Melbourne Cup, but so has Americain,” he said.

Jukebox Jury has the ability to lead races if they choose but he’s also capable of taking a sit further back.

Johnston says they’ll be taking full advantage of that versatility with no decisions made until after the gates open.

“I know in Australia you have this idea that we should all have fixed tactics beforehand. Personally, that’s not my style,” he said.

“My horses go out and run at the pace that suits them. Jukebox Jury in Europe often tends to be towards the front, but he doesn’t have to lead.

“He’s not a stop, start horse. My view of the Melbourne Cup is that it’s very much a stop start race.”

Jukebox Jury will be ridden by Neil Callan in the Melbourne Cup, the same jockey which steered him to victory in the Prix Kergorlay.

Johnston’s other horse Fox Hunt is still yet to have a rider confirmed with regular hoop Silvestre de Sousa sticking around in England to try and win the jockey’s title.

“It could well be a local jockey,” Johnston said.