Trainer Ciaron Maher says imported stayer Kapour will remain in Melbourne for the Group Three The Bart Cummings rather than head to Sydney for the Metropolitan.

Kapour is an dual acceptor for Saturday’s Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick and The Bart Cummings (2520m) a day later at Flemington.

“I think he’ll run in the Bart Cummings,” Maher said.

“It doesn’t look quite as strong a race as the Metrop and he’s already been up to Sydney once.

“The tracks look like they’re probably going to be similar and I just thought we’d keep him here.”

The winner of The Bart Cummings earns a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption.

Kapour finished fifth in the MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) at Caulfield last start after leading from the outside barrier.

“He was a bit fresh the other day,” Maher said.

“The shorter turn around should do him good because he should race a bit kinder.”