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Once a year punters will be flocking to betting outlets on Tuesday for their annual Melbourne Cup flutter while the more serious followers will be looking to build funds toward the Flemington feature.

And at Ellerslie they might find a worthwhile banker in The Cosmos (race four), who looks on the verge of opening his winning account.

A debut fourth behind Sothys NZ 2000 Guineas contender Vinnie Eagle, the Darci Brahma three-year-old followed up with a late-closing second at Ellerslie over 1200 metres.

“The 1400 metres will be more to his liking and all he needs is a bit of luck in the running,” trainer James Bridge said. “He’s a really exciting prospect.

“His trial on a heavy track was good and it was off again when he ran first-up so he should be fine at Ellerslie. All going well I’ve got my sights set on the Levin Classic for him.”

The Cosmos will be up against a competitive line-up on Tuesday with stakes performer Midnitemagicman, debut runner-up Tavy and Admiral also strong chances.

Punters looking to get off to a flying start at Ellerslie could do worse than to consider Boninsky at good odds in the opening event.

He was an open handicap winner on the track 12 months ago and as a Group performer over this trip – he was second in last year’s Hawke’s Bay Cup – he looks well-placed. Her To Eternity’s last-start fourth also puts her right in the picture.

In Style was good behind the promising Ryan Mark when resuming at the Hawke’s Bay carnival and provided the track doesn’t deteriorate too much she should go well again. Forget Living The Dream’s effort at Hastings where she had a torrid run and she favours the 1200 metre course at Ellerslie.

The rub of the green didn’t go Kelly O’Reilly’s way last time out either and she looks a top chance to claim the seventh win of her career in race five. The Tony Pike-trained mare hit the line strongly on the track for third after getting clear late at her most recent appearance.