Harry Eustace is hoping to ride his luck with Sea King for just a couple more days in Australia.

The Englishman headed Down Under to tackle the Cox Plate with Docklands, who had in tow a travelling companion who is now a leading contender for an even bigger prize – the Melbourne Cup.

Sea King booked his spot in the Australia’s greatest race with his win in last Wednesday’s Bendigo Cup and on Saturday night came up with pole position in Tuesday’s $8.5 million event over 3200 metres.

Eustace, the brother of Melbourne Cup-winning trainer David, is shaking his head at how things have transpired for Sea King since landing in Victoria but is hoping they can continue on an upward spiral until just after 3pm Tuesday.

“Since being here, the race has started cutting up one way or another and the more that was happening the more we felt if we ran well at Bendigo we’d get in,” Eustace said.

“To go and see him win like he did at Bendigo suddenly meant we had to really start concentrating on being competitive in the race.

“That’s not to say that we weren’t before, but the plan before we came down was very much Bendigo into the Queen Elizabeth (Stakes) just because we thought on the order of entry we’d be a long way away.

“But, here we are. It’s fantastic, it’s what it’s all about, and we’re just trying to enjoy it all the way to Tuesday.”

Sea King emerged as a key Cup chance with his 3-3/4-length win over Melbourne Cup rival Interpretation at Bendigo, when he started from barrier three.

Declan Bates was aboard for that event, but Hollie Doyle takes over in the 2024 Melbourne Cup and Eustace is happy that he’s had experience starting from a low draw in a big field in Australia.

“We were a bit slow to get into stride at Bendigo and I suspect that would have been the same wherever we were drawn, so at least from one Hollie can just worry about finding a position,” he said.

“I’m sure everyone knows, it’s from halfway that everyone starts riding a race.”

Sea King is a $11 chance in Melbourne Cup odds headed by Vauban ($6) and Buckaroo ($6.50).

Melbourne Cup Odds:

*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.

1. Vauban (11)

J: William Buick

T: Willie Mullins

2. Buckaroo (21)

J: Joao Moreira

T: Chris Waller

3. Circle Of Fire (24)

J: Mark Zahra

T: Ciaron Maher

4. Warp Speed (3)

J: Akira Sugawara

T: N Takagi

5. Kovalica (17)

J: Damian Lane

T: Chris Waller

6. Sharp ‘N’ Smart (15)

J: Michael Dee

T: Graeme & Debbie Rogerson

7. Just Fine (13)

J: Jye McNeil

T: G Waterhouse & A Bott

8. Land Legend (18)

J: Zac Purton

T: Chris Waller

9. Absurde (7)

J: Kerrin McEvoy

T: Willie Mullins

10. Athabascan (2)

J: Zac Lloyd

T: John O’Shea & Tom Charlton

11. Knight’s Choice (6)

J: Robbie Dolan

T: J G Symons & S Laxon

12. Okita Soushi (10)

J: Jamie Kah

T: Ciaron Maher

13. Onesmoothoperator (12)

J: Craig Williams

T: Brian Ellison

14. Zardozi (4)

J: Andrea Atzeni

T: James Cummings

15. Sea King (1)

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Harry Eustace

16. Valiant King (22)

J: Craig Newitt

T: Chris Waller

17. Fancy Man (19)

J: Ron Stewart

T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald

18. Interpretation (14)

J: Teodore Nugent

T: Ciaron Maher

19. Manzoice (8)

J: Declan Bates

T: Chris Waller

20. Mostly Cloudy (16)

J: Karis Teetan

T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young

21. Positivity (20)

J: Winona Costin

T: Andrew Forsman

22. Saint George (9)

J: Tyler Schiller

T: Ciaron Maher

23. The Map (23)

J: Rachel King

T: Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray

24. Trust In You (5)

J: Mark Du Plessis

T: Bruce Wallace & Grant Cooksley