The 2013 Melbourne Cup barrier draw will be crucial for English stayer Dandino with connections sweating on a midfield gate for the Caulfield Cup runner-up.

Dandino going though his paces at Werribee in preparation for the Melbourne Cup. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Dandino jumped from barrier sixteen in the Group 1 $2.5m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 19 and Craig Williams had no choice but to go back near the tail of the field.

While winner Fawkner was getting a good run in between horses rounding the home turn, Williams had to scout wide on Dandino who made up many lengths in the straight when flashing home for second.

Handler Paul Francis said that the he would be happy with a barrier between five and fourteen and that would give the seven year old a good chance to settle midfield and keep in touch with the leading bunch.

Dandino completed long steady work at the Werribee International Horse Centre this morning and Francis said that the Marco Botti  trained stayer would complete similar work in the next few days  leading up to Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday.

Even though Dandino ran out a strong 2400m in the Caulfield Cup, owner Darren Dance still has his concerns with the 3200m trip of the Melbourne Cup.

“The horses 2400m form is superior, his last ten goes over it have had a couple of wins and eight placings,” Dance told TVN.

“He has had three goes over 3000m or further in his career, going back two years plus, and he has failed every time.

“Honestly if he draws a gate and gets nice cover he might be a chance to run out the two miles.”

Dandino is well in the betting for the Melbourne Cup as is rated a $13 chance along with Lloyd Williams high profile import Sea Moon.

The Luca Cumani trained Mount  Athos heads the market order at $7.50 ahead of the Gai Waterhouse trained Fiorente at $8 with the French mare Verema and the Irish St Leger winner Voleuse De Coeurs both at $12.