Melbourne Cup favourite off and running with trial win

Melbourne Cup favourite Goldman scored his first victory of the campaign when taking out a 1000m barrier trial at Rosehill Gardens on Friday.

Goldman was one of a dozen or so stars that stepped out in three Group and Listed class trials.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained galloper led home a Tulloch Lodge quinella, defeating his stablemate, Australian Derby winner Major Beel in the first Rosehill Gardens course proper trial.

Earlier this year Goldman, a former Kiwi, announced himself as one of the most exciting young stayers in the land when winning the Listed Roy Higgins Stakes, which offered ballot exemption into this year‘s Melbourne Cup.

"They were out there to have a good stretch and get going," Bott said.

"There is quite a few options for them but they will have another trial or two and then ready to kick-off in the early part of the spring."

With Goldman assured of one of the 24 places in the Melbourne Cup it's likely the son of Verdi will follow a weight-for-age lead-up path to avoid incurring a weight penalty for Australia's biggest handicap at Flemington on November 7.