Le Roi didn’t have the right preparation for Tony McEvoy to aim him at the Melbourne Cup but the trainer believes the import can be a contender next year.

Le Roi scored a determined win in Saturday’s Group Three Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington, prompting McEvoy to target the 2015 Melbourne Cup.

After enjoying a nice run one off the fence for Damien Oliver, Le Roi ($6.50) moved up to challenge stablemate Big Memory and Noble Protector in the straight.

Prince Of Penzance ($4.60) angled out and looked a real threat but Le Roi was able to keep finding to beat him by a long neck.

The leader Big Memory ($5.50) held third, another three-quarters of a length away.

Six-year-old Le Roi spent close to a year off the scene after suffering a bowed tendon in the 2013 Group One BMW in Sydney.

He returned for an autumn campaign and McEvoy said the entire had been building nicely for Saturday’s staying race.

The trainer said wet weather in South Australia and Sydney early in Le Roi’s campaign put to rest any thoughts of aiming towards a Melbourne Cup.

“We were probably three or four weeks behind with him all the way through and that’s why we didn’t target the Melbourne Cup this year. But it’s on his agenda next year,” McEvoy said.

Big Memory missed a Melbourne Cup berth this year by one place but McEvoy said he would aim the Herbert Power Stakes winner at next year’s race.

“If you look at the improvement he’s made from last preparation to this preparation, he’s a young horse and he’s in for a big season next year,” McEvoy said.