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Creedence will get a long odds opportunity to make the Melbourne Cup field.

Trainer Matt Cumani will give improving stayer Creedence the opportunity of a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup when the gelding has his next start. 

The $500,000 Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on October 3 offers a 'win and you're in' opportunity for the $8 million Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3. 

Creedence has won three of his four starts since joining Cumani's Ballarat stable after starting his career with Lindsay Park. 

Not entered for the Caulfield Cup, Creedence has 50.5kg in the Melbourne Cup and Cumani concedes it is long odds for the gelding to make the field. 

"It's pie in the sky to think that he can be a genuine Melbourne Cup contender as he's got to do a few special things to get there," Cumani said. 

"As it stands at the moment he wouldn't get in even if he won a race like the Geelong Cup, so really our only option is to try and win the Bart Cummings which will be the next race that we're going for." 

Cumani also has Creedence entered in the $750,000 Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick on the same day as The Bart Cummings. 

However, victory in that race and a subsequent penalty would unlikely help Creedence's cause in gaining a Melbourne Cup start. 

"We thought we would have a look at The Metropolitan, just in case it looked weak and we thought we could sneak a Group One," Cumani said. 

"Whether that would help him get into the Cup, I don't know, but the more likely course is the Bart Cummings." 

Coming off a short break, Creedence was successful at The Valley over 2040m on September 5 under apprentice Michael Poy. 

A decision on whether Poy continues his association with Creedence will be left to the owners, although Cumani is loath to break up a successful partnership moving forward. 

"Michael won't be able to claim on him, but he has developed a really good bond with the horse," Cumani said. 

"He understands him well and I would be very keen to keep him on. 

"I value the bond over getting a big name, but we'll have to talk the owners about that." 

Joining Creedence in The Bart Cummings will be Lord Belvedere who took out the Very Special Kids Pin And Win Plate (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday. 

Like Creedence, Lord Belvedere has only 50.5kg in the Melbourne Cup. 

Lord Belvedere was having his first start since winning over 2600m at Flemington in early July and David Eustace, who trains in partnership with Ciaron Maher, said that was part of the plan to keep the gelding fresh. 

"It's just a great result," Eustace said. 

"The Bart Cummings is next and if he can win that then that's the dream to get him into the (Melbourne) Cup." 

The Maher and Eustace stable is hoping runner-up Persan can also gain a start in The Bart Cummings. 

If not the in-form stayer may instead head to The Metropolitan.