His physique is more like that of a sprinter-miler but import Less Is More will be out to convince trainer David Vandyke he is a stayer to be reckoned with at Randwick on Saturday.

Less Is More, who like the past two Melbourne Cup winners hails from France, puts Melbourne carnival ambitions on the line in the $100,000 City Tattersalls Club Cup (2400m).

But on first impressions, Vandyke thought he might have been better planning for shorter races instead of something like the Lexus Stakes, a last-ditch event for unqualified Melbourne Cup entries.

"I was really shocked when he arrived, knowing his form and breeding," Vandyke said.

"He doesn't look like a stayer ... he looks like a sprinter-miler. A very stocky, solid type.

"There's nothing of the typical European staying horse about him like being tall and leggy.

"Having said that he's got quite a good head carriage and he's been a good horse to ride."

Less Is More has raced twice for Vandyke, the latest when he finished only two lengths from Mourayan in a weight-for-age race.

The three horses to finish directly behind Mourayan - Western Symbol, Dare To Dream and Less Is More - command most of the betting attention on Saturday's race which will have a direct bearing on the Melbourne Cup claims of six horses.

One of Less Is More's three wins in France was over the Tattersalls Cup distance.

"It's his first run for us past two thousand metres and that's when he has produced his best form," Vandyke said.

"Being back to a quality handicap from a weight-for-age means he'll be a lot better off as well."

Less Is More is one of four solid rides in as many stakes races for Peter Robl.

He returns to the Patinack Farm fold for the first time since he was sacked as stable jockey in 2010 to ride Destruction in the Brian Crowley Stakes.

He will also partner Dee'N'Gee in the Lightning Handicap for Clarry Conners and has a second-to-none chance on Ever The Same in the Nivison, a Listed race for mares.