Tony Bloom has changed course in his bid to win the race that stops a nation.

The Albion owner-chairman's horse Withold runs in the Geelong Cup in Australia tomorrow morning (6am) to improve his chances of making the field for the Melbourne Park on November 6.

That has been the target for the lightly-raced gelding since landing the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle in June.

The field is limited to 24 runners and Withold is currently 36 on the list. Some horses above are expected to drop out but a good run in the Geelong Cup could make a difference.

Trainer Roger Charlton's son Tom, who is in charge of preparations in Australia, told the Racing Post: "It's a slight change of plan but I couldn't be happier with how he's trained and he's ready for a race.

"We thought we were about 50-50 (to make the Melbourne Cup) if we didn't run, so there's still a chance he'd get in if he doesn't win, and even if he's second the prize-money he'd collect would move him up two spaces above some of the other horses on 53kg, but we're hoping for a very good run and we'd be disappointed if he's not bang there."