Paul Makin, the colourful owner of top miler Starcraft, has bought two horses to be trained by Luca Cumani in a bid to land the 2006 Emirates Melbourne Cup.

Luca Cumani confirmed Starcraft and Alkaased have arrived in New York safe and well ahead of the Breeders' Cup on Saturday.

MOTIVATOR has the speed to join racing legends such as Mill Reef and Nashwan by adding the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on Saturday to his victory in the Vodafone Derby.

Motivator has shortened to odds-on favourite for the Coral-Eclipse Stakes with the sponsors following today’s confirmation stage.