Ciaron Maher greys Berkshire Breeze and Saint George in the mix for Melbourne Cup berth

A pair of grey Ciaron Maher stayers are vying for a spot in the Melbourne Cup with victory in The Bart Cummings at Flemington on Saturday.

Berkshire Breeze and Saint George get a chance to take the guesswork out of Melbourne Cup qualification with victory in the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2520m) at Flemington.

The final field of 16 on Saturday includes 14 Cup-nominated stayers chasing a golden ticket into Australia’s most famous race.

Berkshire Breeze is a $4.40 favourite with Ladbrokes from Cup-qualified Archer winner Point King ($5.50) and Saint George ($7).

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Natural attrition, form, injury or alternate race plans, should help Ciaron Maher-trained Saint George and Berkshire Breeze, currently 38th and 46th respectively in the order of entry, get into the Cup but a win on Saturday would clear the path completely.

Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull has high hopes for both Berkshire Breeze and Saint George.

“This has been the plan to qualify (Berkshire Breeze),” Turnbull said.

“Drawing two on Saturday he’s going to get a nice run, he’ll be midfield-ish, I don’t think we’ll be holding a spot from that alley, he is a better chaser but he’s rock-hard fit.

“We think he has the talent and if he can win he’s qualified for the big one.”

Berkshire Breeze is chasing a spot in the Melbourne Cup in The Bart Cummings on Saturday. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Berkshire Breeze made light work of weaker opposition during a breakout winter campaign with multiple Flemington wins.

Race shape and conditions the past two starts, placed behind Horrifying and Point King, has conspired against Berkshire Breeze.

Saint George is also at a Cup qualification crossroad, close enough to the mark but not quite there yet.

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The UK import was luckless at his Australian debut in the Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) and then just peaked on a run in the Group 3 MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) second-up.

“He travelled into it like he was going to go boom and he sustained the gallop,” Turnbull said.

“Jamie (Kah) thought maybe from his first-up run, when he was kept on the bit he just didn’t have the hitout required … sometimes that can make the difference, when beaten a head.”

Turnbull confirmed a minor gear change, tongue tie, for Saint George.

“He hasn’t got a wind problem but she (Kah) thought maybe he had his tongue back over the line when she went to ease up on him,” Turnbull said.

“It is cheap insurance, he’s worked well in it, he had a good gallop Monday and he’ll be fit and firing Saturday.”

Saint George finished a close fourth in the MRC Foundation Cup at Caulfield last start. Picture: Pat Scala/Racing Photos via Getty Images

The rise in distance from 2000m to 2520m is perfect.

“Probably half the (Bart Cummings) field, most of the field, wouldn’t be confident in getting the trip, whereas we are, and looking for further,” Turnbull said.

“He’s still got to do it (qualify) … the Melbourne Cup is his grand final, that’s his race, that’s what he was bought for, that’s why the clients got into him.

“He’s got 50kg (in the Cups) and it’s the time of year to put your hand up.”

Saint George and Berkshire Breeze are $26 and $51 respectively with Ladbrokes in the all-in Melbourne Cup market.

BART CUMMINGS WINNERS IN THE MELBOURNE CUP

2023: Future History 15th

2022: Lunar Flare* (did not run)

2021: Grand Promenade 6th

2020: Persan 5th

2019: Surprise Baby 5th

2018: Avilius 22nd

2017: Amelie’s Star 14th

2016: Almandin 1st

2015: Let’s Make Adeal (did not run)

2014: Who Shot Thebarman 3rd

* Lunar Flare won the Moonee Valley Gold Cup after the Bart Cummings but was scratched from the Melbourne Cup on race morning on veterinary advice

Originally published as Ciaron Maher greys Berkshire Breeze and Saint George in the mix for Melbourne Cup berth