The Geelong Cup has been a guide to the chances of the European raiders in the Melbourne Cup in recent years but only one has taken up the challenge on Wednesday.

Forgotten Voice, who missed a start in Saturday's Caulfield Cup as the first emergency, is the dominant favourite for the Group Three 2400m race.

Melbourne Cup winners Dunaden (2011) Americain (2010) and Media Puzzle (2002) have all ticked off the Geelong Cup before going on to bigger riches.

Forgotten Voice, to be ridden by Brett Prebble, is looking for a weight penalty from a Geelong Cup win to lift him in the order of entry for the final 24 in the Melbourne Cup.

Although the Nicky Henderson-trained Forgotten Voice is the only official overseas entry, Verdant, Goldoni, Brigantin and Ibicenco all did their early racing in Europe before being brought to Australia.

Ibicenco's trainer Peter Moody knows his charge can cope with the 3200m of the Melbourne Cup following his win in last year's Sandown Cup over the distance and is a little concerned the Geelong Cup might be too short.

He is also surprised there are not more internationals targeting Geelong.

"He probably needs the two miles but he will be amongst it as he's been in good form," Moody said.

"I'm surprised there is only one international this year. The last few years have been good racing for them."

Upholding the local breed will be Tanby, a half-brother to Saturday's Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner.

Like Fawkner, he is raced by Lloyd Williams in partnership with his wife Sue and son Nick who said he believes the seven-year-old is approaching the form that brought him victory in the Zipping Classic last year and a Group One third in the Australian Cup in the autumn.

"He's going well," Williams said.

"He needs a lot of work to get to his best and we think this run you should see the form he was in in the autumn and late last spring.

"We think he'll run a very, very forward race.

"A bit of brotherly love would be fantastic and I think he's a terrific chance tomorrow."