Damien Oliver steers Kiwi-owned Kalapour into Melbourne Cup field

Ridden by retiring champion Damien Oliver, Kalapour led from start to finish in the 2500m group three contest at Flemington on Saturday to book a spot in the race that stops a nation (Tuesday 5pm NZT).

The victory meant heartbreak for Taranaki trainer Allan Sharrock and his star galloper Ladies Man who ran a disappointing sixth in the Archer and was overtaken by Kalapour in the order of entry to just miss the final cup field. It means no New Zealand-trained runner in this year’s A$8.4 million race.

Kalapour later drew barrier 14 for Tuesday's cup and was a $61 chance with the TAB on Sunday, while favourite Vauban will jump from barrier three next to last year's winner Gold Trip (two).

Vauban – trained in Ireland by Willie Mullins – was a $3.50 favourite on Sunday ahead of Gold Trip at $5.

Caulfield Cup winner Without A Fight (16) and Chris Waller's Soulcombe (four) were also still among the favourites after the barrier draw. Without A Fight was $6.50 with the TAB on Sunday, and Soulcombe at $10.

Kalapour was bred and raced in Ireland before being purchased by Kiwi businessman and prominent racing owner and breeder Lib Petanga, who was one of a group of owners who took over Wellington Phoenix football club in 2011.

Zac Lloyd will ride Kalapour in the Cup with Oliver already committed to Mike Moroney's Alenquer, who drew barrier nine and was rated a $61 chance.

“Unfortunately, he is a bit light for me,” Oliver told AAP of Kalapour.

“But I am happy with Alenquer. He ran well last time. It will be difficult for him to win but he will be better than his odds suggest.”

Kalapour was not penalised for his Archer win, meaning he will carry 50kg in the cup, where Lees expects him to be a realistic top-10 chance.

“Especially with that style of run (in the Archer). It wasn't a tough run,” Newcastle-based trainer Lees said.

“We'll see how he pulls up but I'd expect him to back up. He drops to 50 kilos ... he's a horse in form which is what you want to see. I think he'll acquit himself well.”

Lees has two runners in the Cup, with Kalapour lining up alongside Cleveland ($31).

The Moonee Valley Gold Cup winner will jump from barrier 23 under Australian-based New Zealand jockey Michael Dee.

Eight winners of the Lexus Archer Stakes have gone on to win the Melbourne Cup in the same year – most recently Shocking in 2009 – though recent results have not been good for runners on the quick back-up.

English stayer Prince Of Arran went close when he finished third in the Cup after winning the Archer in 2018.

Ciaron Maher and David Eustace will saddle up the most runners of any stable in this year's cup, with Gold Trip leading the charge.

The stable also has Right You Are (barrier 15), Ashrun (11), Future History (13) and Interpretation (17) in the 3200m test.

Maher said he was “rapt” with the five runners and is more confident in Gold Trip than he was last year, when Mark Zahra rode him to victory.

Gold Trip will be ridden in the cup by another Aussie-based Kiwi James McDonald, who won Saturday's Victoria Derby for Waller aboard favourite Riff Rocket.

Maher wasn't overly fussed about Gold Trip's barrier draw.

“I was sort of hoping around the middle somewhere, but still, you never pass up a good gate,” Maher said.

“The horse is well and what will be, will be.”