The 2013 Melbourne Cup has come around too quickly for Times Up but trainer Ed Dunlop is hoping the dual Doncaster Cup winner stays in training for a possible crack next year.

Dunlop enjoyed one of the most satisfying victories of his career when Times Up landed the Group Two race for the second time.

Family pressure was on the trainer as 12 months ago the same horse gave his father John a last big-race victory before his retirement.

To make things harder for his new handler, the season had not gone to plan for Times Up (3-1), but following an encouraging effort at York last month the seven-year-old turned up in good form to join an elite band of dual winners that include Double Trigger and Millenary.

"I've won bigger races but this means a lot. Having done very little right to get him winning again, I'm very chuffed," Dunlop said.

"My father did so well with him. He was his last big winner.

"He pushed and pushed for me to get the horse and the owners have been kind and supportive and understanding when things have not gone well.

"He had a bad infection in the spring. We thought we were over it but he didn't run well at Sandown and then he pulled too hard in the Gold Cup.

"He's a wonderful horse and has been working very well, but we were worried about the ground.

"There aren't too many races left. He'll probably go to Ascot (for the Long Distance Cup) and he's in the Cadran (at Longchamp).

"I wanted to take him to the Melbourne Cup but he hadn't done enough and it's expensive to go.

There is another stage but I doubt they will change their mind.

"He'll stay in training next year, hopefully.

Dunlop has 2011 Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux entered this year.