Kiwi trainer John Steffert is pinning his hopes on a win in this Wednesday’s G3 Geelong Cup (2400m) to help Back In Black qualify for the G1 Melbourne Cup.

Back In Black (Storm Creek) had won 9 of his 60 starts, most recently over 2000m at Hastings, before Steffert flew him across to Brett Scott’s stable at Mornington.

Back In Black is currently 61st on the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup (3200m) having still to meet the distance qualifying clause.  But the jet-black stayer did finish sixth in last year’s Geelong Cup, beaten just over two lengths by subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden.

“He’s travelled well and did have four starts for four cheques over here last year,” Steffert said.  “And he’s in terrific health.”

Steffert has always harboured dreams of having a Melbourne Cup runner.  “I promised my mother when I was 12 that I would start a horse in a Melbourne Cup one day.  And you can’t beat ‘em by staying in Te Aroha.”