Former international stayer Ibicenco has raced his way into Melbourne Cup calculations following his gritty win in Wednesday's $300,000 Geelong Cup.


Looking beaten at the top of the straight Ibicenco dug deep to nail another former English stayer Verdant who looked home with 200 metres to go.


Trainer Peter Moody said that Ibicenco would "certainly run in the top ten in a Melbourne Cup because he just keeps going and loves the distance."


Ibicenco is number 42 in the order of entry for the cup and will now need a healthy penalty to make the final field for the race.


The Geelong Cup has proved to be an amazing form reference for the Melbourne Cup in recent years.


It's now problematical whether European stayer Forgotten Voice can make the first Tuesday in November after finishing fifth and appearing to struggle in the wet conditions. Moudre finished a gallant third.