Melbourne Cup hopefuls ready for Geelong Cup

A total of 15 potential Melbourne Cup contenders line up in the Geelong Cup on Wednesday with only one of them not needing a win to secure safe passage to Flemington.

The Sportsman has been scratched from the field, leaving 15 Melbourne Cup entries to try to battle their way up the order.

Current favourite for Wednesday's 2406m race is the Luca Cumani-trained Basaltico with IASbet, on odds of 6.50, down from 7.00 earlier in the week.

The one horse already assured of a start at Flemington next month is Godolphin stable horse Crime Scene, on odds of 9.00 with the same bookmaker for Wednesday.

Current second favourite is Dandaad, on odds of 7.50, and trained by Bart Cummings, who blew away international opposition with Viewed in Saturday's Caulfield Cup.

English galloper Basaltico is Cumani's final chance at a Melbourne Cup run after Cima De Triomphe ended up in 13th in Saturday's Caulfield Cup.

Crime Scene, said to be in fine shape ahead of Wednesday, has had a successful summer back home, impressing in the likes of the Shadwell Beech House Stud Stakes at Newbury in July.

He is on odds of 61.00 for the November 3 Melbourne Cup, with IASbet currently listing Efficient as the favourite at 6.00.