The Mackinnon Stakes has become the latest target for the strongest and largest international contingent assembled for a Melbourne spring carnival.

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The traditional Melbourne Cup lead-up is on the agenda for the French galloper Trevieres who is recovering from a slight injury suffered since his impressive Australian debut in the Toorak Handicap.

Trevieres finished a close second in the Toorak and his handler Stephanie Nigge believes the step up from 1600m to 2000m will suit the horse perfectly.

“The 2000-metre start at Flemington is the best at the track and it will suit him to have the long run to the first turn,” Nigge said.

“And the distance on a flat track like that is ideal for him.”

Trevieres has been back on track this week after being restricted to walking exercise last week after suffering a muscle strain in his hindquarters.

Nigge, whose knowledge of Flemington and the spring carnival was honed by her supervision of Americain’s three Melbourne Cup preparations, said the horse had lost none of its fitness and his preparation had not been compromised by the problem.

“We’d thought about the Emirates Stakes for him but his work has been really good this week and the Mackinnon really looks like a good race for him,” she said.

Trevieres stretched out during a 1200m canter without any sign of discomfort at Werribee on Thursday during a session in which the English raider Simenon was the star worker.

Simenon has already proved his fitness and well-being with a third placing in his only Australian start and is on target for the Melbourne Cup.

The Luca Cumani-trained Cup runner Mount Athos also performed strong work with the trainer’s wife in the saddle, putting in two strong 1200m gallops.

Of the imports a slight cloud has settled over the French galloper Shikarpour, who is to join the Lloyd Williams stable.

The four-year-old formerly trained by Alain de Royer Dupre hasn’t been on the track since it arrived last Saturday.

A smaller question mark is also against the name of Godolphin’s lone Cup entrant Royal Empire who arrived on Monday and whose only exercise has been a leisurely walk on Thursday.