France’s elite endurance event has earned ‘win and you’re in’ status for the prestigious Australian showpiece, the Melbourne Cup.

The Group 2 Prix Kergorlay over 3000m aligns with America’s Belmont Gold Cup and the Ebor Handicap as qualifiers exempting winners from the ballot for the Melbourne Cup (3200m) on Flemington’s first Tuesday of November.

Historically, the Prix Kergorlay has been an excellent guide to prospective Melbourne Cup winners.

Americain dominated both races in 2010, Dunaden lined up in the Prix Kergorlay in 2011 before conquering the Melbourne Cup.

Protectionist, trained in Germany, followed suit by winning the pair in 2014.

Victoria Racing Club Chief Executive Kylie Rogers highlighted the France Galop tie-up as a nod to two of racing’s greatest countries.

“France has a storied history and connection with the Melbourne Cup, and we are delighted to formalise our partnership with France Galop by introducing the Prix Kergorlay as a Golden Ticket race,” Rogers said in a statement.

“The Melbourne Cup attracts the best stayers from across the world, and this new partnership both incentivises and ensures that the strongest international contenders are competing on the first Tuesday in November.

“We look forward to building on this partnership and the long-shared bond between our two racing nations.”

Saturday’s Flemington card launches the quest for Melbourne Cup berths, with the Roy Higgins (2600m) providing exemption to its champion.

Victorian ‘win and you’re in’ fixtures also feature the Andrew Ramsden (2800m), Bart Cummings (2500m), Archer Stakes (2500m) all hosted at Flemington, together with Caulfield Cup (2400m), Moonee Valley Gold Cup, Geelong Cup, and Cox Plate (2040m).

Find competitive racing betting markets ahead of the Melbourne Cup on top betting sites.