Raider on Cup trial

English trainer James Eustace has confirmed the Melbourne Cup is on the agenda of former South African stayer Sushisan.

The 3200m race at Flemington, along with a Group One race in Milan, is one of a number of races Eustace is considering tackling with the stayer in the coming months.

"Sushisan would be a possible for the Melbourne Cup but he would have a lot of options and we are aiming to run him at Newbury in the Arc Trial on September 19," he said.

The galloper is on the comeback trail from surgery after running sixth in the Dubai Sheema Classic in March.

"He has had joint surgery following a campaign in Dubai this winter and it all depends how he comes back," he said.

"But at the moment I am delighted with him and he is on schedule. We will run him at Newbury and make a few decisions."

Eustace said he 'couldn't be too unhappy' with the 54.5kg he received from the handicapper for the Melbourne Cup.

"His mile and a half form stands up very well and on that, he is an equal horse of Youmzain, and on his best form, he is a pretty serious horse," he said.

"We'll have a look and it all hinges on his comeback race at Newbury over a mile and three furlongs."

Youmzain is a Group One winner in Europe but has also been runner-up in elite races such as the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.