A supremely tough win in Wednesday’s A$500,000 Group Three Apiam Animal Health Bendigo Cup (2400m) has kept the A$7.75m Melbourne Cup (3200m) dream alive for the connections of a quality staying mare who cost only $80,000 at Karaka 2018.

Cambridge trainer Roger James believes Elate is shaping up as well as any horse he has prepared for the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand Oaks (2400m).

Champion sire Savabeel followed his Karaka yearling sale success with a stakes quinella in the Listed Oaks Prelude at New Plymouth on Saturday.