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Champion jockey Hugh Bowman faces a dilemma to select his Melbourne Cup ride after riding the import Tiberian in a track gallop at Werribee on Tuesday.

Bowman said he will take a couple of days to decide if he will ride Tiberian or another import Marmelo in the $6 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 7.

He also has an offer to ride a yet to be identified Lloyd Williams-owned entry in the Melbourne Cup that now includes the Aidan O’Brien-trained Johannes Vermeer.

He was in line to ride Red Cardinal in the Melbourne Cup but the mount on that UK entry has now gone to Ryan Moore.

Bowman is booked to ride Prix Kergorlay winner Marmelo for trainer in the $3 million Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday week but has not made a commitment to that horse for the Melbourne Cup.

The lightly-raced 5YO Marmelo is the first horse UK trainer Hughie Morrison has sent to Australia.

He has had only 10 starts for three wins and five placings and trying to emulate Americain and Protectionist, who both won the Prix Kergorlay in France before their Melbourne Cup victories.

Bowman rode Marmelo in a gallop last Saturday at Werribee and followed up with his first feel of Tiberian on Tuesday.

.@HugeBowman takes #EmiratesMelbourneCup contender Tiberian for a spin for the first time. Who will he stick with for the Cuppic.twitter.com/mnVmF3SCMf

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 9, 2017

Tiberian works at Werribee

Trained by Alain Couetil in France, Tiberian has won six of his 17 starts including the G2 Prix de Deauville (2500m) in August.

Part-owned by Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, Tiberian made an impression on Bowman.

"The reality is that he's a very similar horse to Red Cardinal and Marmelo, who I've already partnered,” Bowman said.

"It's hard to really pick one from the other on feel but I was impressed with the enthusiasm he showed to the line."

Bowman said Marmelo had also given him a good feel on Saturday.

“He’s a big, strong horse and he was in a very good mood, which means he’s obviously settled in well.

“I was there to get a feel for his temperament and the way he moved.”

Bowman said after Tuesday’s work with Tiberian he was facing a difficult decision.

“It’s a bit like putting a hand in the hat and hoping you pick the right number,” Bowman said.

Tiberian & Marmelo enjoying the Werribee sunshine @Racing pic.twitter.com/reDVJ3IVvM

— James Tzaferis (@jtzaf) October 2, 2017

The highly rated international Johannes Vermeer will race in Wiliams’ ownership for the first time in Saturday’s Caulfield Stakes.

Williams had five runners in last year’s Melbourne Cup including the winner Almandin and could have an evenr bigger representation this year as he chases his sixth win as an owner.

Williams had 10 of the 55 second acceptors declared on Tuesday for the Melbourne Cup with eight trained by Robert Hickmott – Almandin, Sir Isaac Newton, Bondi Beach, Gallante, Aloft, Foundry, Amralah and Assign.

Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien prepares Rekindling for Williams and his father Aidan O’Brien prepares Johannes Vermeer.

Rekindling will be among the last batch of five Cup entries to be flown from the UK to Melbourne this week. They are due to land in Melbourne on Saturday.