With Cima de Triomphe's ninth in the Mackinnon Stakes on Saturday ending his spring campaign in Australia without a place, British trainer Luca Cumani is turning to Basaltico in tomorrow's Melbourne Cup.

But at $41, few punters have faith the six-year-old can go one better than stablemates Bauer and Purple Moon who finished second in the past two Cups. Even Cumani's team is lacking enthusiasm.

''We are hopeful more than confident of a good run,'' Cumani's official website said.

Cumani's wife Sara Cumani admits it has not been a great trip to Australia, but she is hoping Basaltico can surprise even the insiders.

''Things haven't gone exactly to plan,'' she said yesterday.

''Cima's been very disappointing. But Bauer went under the radar last year, Basaltico maybe this year.''

Their website remains doubtful, questioning whether Basaltico has the same tactical speed as Bauer.

Sara Cumani says Basaltico's seventh in the Geelong Cup after giving the leaders too much distance was another feature of the campaign that, ''didn't go according to plan'', although jockey Danny Nikolic remains upbeat.

''It's a good pick-up, I'm very happy to be on him,'' Nikolic said after yesterday's final work at Sandown.

''He's up to the trip, he'll handle the firmer track, they are the two things the internationals need.

''He's terrific, he looks really well.

''The last few years the Geelong Cup has been a pretty good guide and he probably should have won.''

Cumani has abandoned plans to take Cima de Triomphe to Dubai and instead will give give him a spell.

AAP