Hometrack has mare ready to rock

Flemington trainer Danny O'Brien is confident a return to her hometrack and stepping out to 3200m will see dual Group 1 winner Shamrocker return to her best form in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup.

The daughter of O'Reilly was crowned the champion three-year-old filly last season thanks to her Group 1 wins in Australian Guineas and Australian Derby. She also finished second in both the VRC and AJC Oaks.

"She has a win and two placings at her only two attempts beyond 2400m so we are expecting her to relsih the two miles of the Cup," O'Brien said.

"She won the Sires Produce as a two-year-old and Guineas as a three-year-old at Flemington when she was at long odds so she is not entering new territory on Tuesday.

"I would prefer she was a $5 chance, however I couldn't fault her condition and her running well wouldn't be a surprise."

O'Brien said her preparation had been built around weight-for-age to take advantage of her lightweight in the Cup.

"She won't know herself with 52kgs and she should be able to slot in from the outside draw and will be able to track into the race when she is ready too."

Victorian metropolitan premiership leader Luke Nolen takes the ride on the four-year-old mare, who is the youngest participant in 24-horse field.

Photo by Bruno Cannatelli, to view Bruno's website click here