Kyneton Racing Tips for November 4 – Prince Eric to salute in Kyneton Cup

Here are our best bets from the meeting, which comes in between the Tuesday and Thursday meetings from Flemington during Melbourne Cup Week.

Lunar Force can go close in Race 6. The Robbie Griffiths-trained galloper hasn't won since taking out his debut earlier this year, but has been building nicely through three runs this preparation. He improved second-up when stepping up to 1765m at Geelong, finishing third behind Stay Humble, before settling handy over the track and trip last time and going down narrowly behind Barato. He should be ready to peak fourth-up and draws barrier one, which will allow him to save plenty of ground throughout. Expect him to be right in the finish.

Delivering can get the job done at his third run back from a spell. The six-year-old from the Ciaron Maher stable has had two solid runs this preparation, finishing fifth when resuming over 1200m at Ballarat before rolling forward and setting a strong tempo over 1300m at Geelong last time. He stuck on well to finish runner-up behind Aurora Bell, recording a figure more than three lengths faster than standard benchmark, the best last-start figure of any runner in this race. He has previously improved on benchmark figures when third-up and should be ready to produce his best. From barrier nine, expect him to push forward and settle outside the leader, with Zach Moore's claim another positive. He looks hard to beat.

The feature of the day is the Kyneton Cup, and Prince Eric can enjoy a change of luck. The Archie Alexander-trained galloper has been racing well in some strong company this preparation, including a fifth in the Gold Nugget at Ballarat two starts ago behind Ten Commandments. He was then held up at a crucial stage in the Group 3 Coongy Handicap (2000m) at Caulfield last time and looked to have plenty more to offer. That performance was six lengths faster than standard benchmark, the best last-start figure of any runner in this field. The son of Time Test handles soft ground, which could be an advantage at Kyneton, and should be at peak fitness now. He draws barrier one, with Declan Bates taking the ride, and looks a strong winning chance.