Quite often the Race History of the Geelong Cup run at Geelong on Wednesday shows up as a real Melbourne Cup guide.

Dunaden did the double back in 2011. Could the 2018 Geelong Cup (2400m) at Geelong on Wednesday produce another?

2018 GEELONG CUP - RACE HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

The Geelong Cup is a Group 3 race run under Handicap conditions for open age stayers at Geelong conducted by the Geelong Racing Club.

The Geelong Cup is run over 2400m. It was first run in 1872 and was won by Flying Scud.

It has been run over varying distances from two miles at the beginning to as short as one mile a century ago. For the last 50 years it has been at the mile and a half.

The Geelong Cup was a Principal Race until being Listed up to 2001 then upgraded at Group 3 from 2002.

Several horses heading to the Melbourne Cup had run well in Geelong Cups in the 80s and 90s but the race all changed in 2002.

Internationals trained or bred horses have had a field day since the turn of the century.

Dermot Weld won the Melbourne Cup with Vintage Crop and he did it again in 2002 with Media Puzzle who got his way into the race via Geelong.

Zazzman won in 2003 and placed at Flemington 12 months later. On A Jeune also won at Geelong and placed behind Makybe Diva in her third Cup.

Bauer did the job at Geelong then famously lost by the smallest margin to Viewed in 2008.

Then it was the turn of the French as Americain and Dunaden went back to back here and at Flemington.

Qewy was another horse to win from overseas for Godolphin this time.

Karasi became known as a champion jumper winning three Nakayama Grand Jumps but before that in 2001 he won the Geelong Cup and ran fourth in the Melbourne Cup.

The Geelong Cup is worth $350,000 in 2018.

Notable winners of the Geelong Cup include Qewy (2016), Dunaden (2011), Americain (2010), Bauer (2008), On A Jeune (2005), Zazzman (2003), Media Puzzle (2002), Karasi (2001), Bohemiath (1999), Mr Brooker (1990), Pacific Mirage/Sea Legend (1989), Koiro Corrie May (1985), Chagemar (1984) and Allez Bijou (1981).

The 2017 Geelong Cup was won by Vengeur Masque from Gallic Chieftain and Violate.