Bauer is back in the reckoning for the 2011 Melbourne Cup after returning to form in the Old Borough Cup (2800m) at Haydock on Saturday.

Bauer (8g Halling – Dali’s Grey by Linamix) had been winless since a G3 victory in the 2008 Geelong Cup.  A fortnight later he was defeated a nose by Viewed in a deceptive finish to the Melbourne Cup.

“It was a decent performance,” jockey Neil Callan said at Haydock.  “I spoke to Luca (Cumani) and we were worried about the lack of pace, but they went a good gallop.  For a staying horse, he’s got a good turn of foot.”

Owned by Aston House Stud and Australian based OTI Racing, Bauer is still available at $61 with TABSportbet.

Cumani, who also finished second with Purple Moon in the 2007 Melbourne Cup, has Manighar and Drunken Sailor making return visits to Australia this year.  They are both quoted at $41 by TABSportbet for the Melbourne Cup.

Manighar (LInamix) was seventh to Americain in 2010 but finished in front of the French stayer in the G2 Prix Kergolay (3000m) at Deauville last month.

Drunken Sailor (Tendulkar) won the G3 Glorius Stakes (2400m) at Goodwood in July.  He is also part-owned by OTI managers Terry Henderson and Simon O’Donnell.