Valiant King with Jye McNeil aboard has emerged as a serious Melbourne Cup contender at $8.50, backed by strong market support heading into the 3200m showpiece at Flemington.
Trained by Chris Waller, this gelding brings a solid career record of 19: 2-3-3 into Australia's most famous race.
The grey's recent form suggests he's hitting peak condition at the perfect time.
Two starts back, he delivered a commanding performance over 2520 metres at Flemington, powering to the line in impressive fashion.
His subsequent Caulfield Cup run, where he stormed home into the top four despite encountering significant traffic problems, demonstrates the untapped potential that could be unleashed on Tuesday.
Both McNeil and Waller are chasing their second Melbourne Cup victories, adding extra motivation to an already compelling combination.
The horse's return as a gelding has sparked noticeable improvement, and with a favourable weight drop for the Cup, he's positioned for a strong showing.
Weather conditions could play into Valiant King's hands, with grey horses traditionally handling wet tracks well.
If the heavens open at Flemington, this could be the edge that separates him from the field.
Odds subject to change.