At least one thing about the Australian debut of English galloper Ibicenco at Moonee Valley on Saturday is certain.

The rest, however, is most problematic.

Sara Cumani, who is supervising Ibicenco's Melbourne preparation, says she has no doubt jockey Craig Newitt is in for a workout when he rides Ibicenco, the favourite for the Group Two Drake International Cup (2500m).

Cumani has ridden trackwork alongside Ibicenco at Werribee this week and is cautious about declaring the notoriously one-paced stayer a deserving favourite in the $250,000 race.

"He's very fit, but whether he's any faster since he arrived here I don't know," she said.

"One thing I can tell you is that he's a very tiring horse to ride.

"He needs to be stood over."

As evidence for her assertion, Cumani points to Ibicenco's second last run over 3200m at Sandown (UK) in May when was runner-up to Opinion Poll.

"Kieren Fallon rode him that day and he was at him for the last mile," she said.

It is for that reason the Cumanis have chosen Craig Newitt for a ride they hope will win Ibicenco a Melbourne Cup start.

A notoriously persistent rider, Newitt is thoroughly aware of what is required on Ibicenco.

"It's no secret why I'm on him," Newitt said.

"He's very one-paced, but a very strong stayer.

"I should suit him."

Ibicenco had been aimed at both the Herbert Power Stakes and the Caulfield Cup, but a lack of fitness stopped him from running in the former and a slight setback caused him to be taken out of the Caulfield Cup for which he was an emergency acceptor.

Ibicenco is in the same position as a number of Melbourne Cup aspirants this spring of needing to win impressively enough on Saturday to attract a sizeable penalty.

Also needing a win and the ensuing penalty to be certain of a start are Unusual Suspect who is 27th in the order of entry, Moudre (28th), Ironstein (33rd), Rialya (39th), Vatuvei, (44th) and Reuben Percival (50th)

Precedence, who won the race in 2010 and who has has been heavily back in Saturday's race, is in 26th place in the order and seems certain to gain a Cup start whether he wins or not.