Dubai Gold Cup winner Certerach is ready to begin work with the Melbourne Cup as a possible goal.

The Mick Halford-trained six-year-old ran a huge race to hold Cavalryman by a neck in the 3200m Group Two Dubai Gold Cup.

The Ascot Gold Cup in June is the first target.

"He was back home the Tuesday after. He's been in the paddock since and he's fresh and well," Halford told At The Races.

"We'll start back riding him maybe tomorrow.

"I'm still enjoying the success, but I think we will train him with Royal Ascot in mind and we'd love to have a tilt at the Melbourne Cup later in the year if we think he will get in."