Five-year-old stayer Sea King could secure a place in the Melbourne Cup with a top-three finish in Wednesday’s Bendigo Cup (2400m).

Trainer Harry Eustace believes a strong result in the Group 3 race will see Sea King pass the first ballot clause, boosting his chances for a Melbourne Cup entry.

A Bendigo Cup victory may also prompt a re-handicap on his 50kg weight, which would further solidify his spot.

Since arriving in Australia, Sea King has impressed Eustace with his improvement and acclimation.

“He’s really thrived in quarantine,” Eustace shared, noting that the horse’s sixth-place finish in the Ebor behind Onesmoothoperator—who recently won the Geelong Cup—suggests he can compete at this level.

Currently an outsider in Melbourne Cup odds at $151 with online betting sites, Eustace sees the Cup as a unique opportunity if Sea King qualifies. “It would feel a bit of a free roll of the dice at the big one if he could get in,” he said.

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