The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Cismontane is aiming to become the first winner of the Lexus Stakes since Shocking in 2009 to claim the Melbourne Cup.

Cismontane put up a tough staying performance in Saturday’s Lexus (2500m) to earn his way to the Cup which Waterhouse won in 2013 with Fiorente.

Brew in 2000 and Shocking are the only horses in the past 30 years to complete the double.

Until 2005, both first and second placegetters in the race were guaranteed a Cup start but since then only the winner automatically makes the field.

How the Lexus winners have fared in the Cup:

1987: Scarvila (15th Melbourne Cup) 2nd: Colour Page (did not run in Cup)

1988: Copatonic (14th) 2nd: Tawriffic (12th)

1989: Coshking (20th) 2nd: Gopak (12th)

1990: Mount Olympus (5th) 2nd: Kingston Rule (Won)

1991: Rasheek (6th) 2nd: Dr Grace (20th)

1992: Big Barron (10th) 2nd: Val D’Arno (13th)

1993: Tennessee Jack (6th) 2nd: Maraakiz (7th)

1994: Pindi (16th) 2nd: Starstruck (10th)

1995: Coachwood (5th) 2nd: Dupain (9th)

1996: Few Are Chosen (19th) 2nd: Centico (16th)

1997: Backslapper (did not run in Cup) 2nd: Grandmaster (10th)

1998: Star Binder (did not run in Cup) 2nd: Second Coming (23rd)

1999: The Warrior (6th) 2nd: Rose O’War (8th)

2000: Brew (Won) 2nd: Mr.Nelson (19th)

2001: Maythehorsebewithu (5th) 2nd: Spirit Of Westbury (17th)

2002: Requiem (22nd) 2nd: Miss Meliss (10th)

2003: Big Pat (10th) 2nd: Fawaz (18th)

2004: Don Raphael (20th) 2nd: Catchmeifyoucan (8th)

2005: Strasbourg (18th)

2006: Maybe Better (3rd)

2007: Sculptor (9th)

2008: Moatize (6th)

2009: Shocking (Won)

2010: Maluckyday (2nd)

2011: Niwot (8th)

2012: Kelinni (4th)

2013: Ruscello (23rd)

2014: Signoff (4th)

2015: Excess Knowledge (7th)

2016: Oceanographer (12th)

2017: Cismontane ?

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au