Co-trainer Leon Corstens wishes the Australian Cup was a handicap race.

Corstens saddles Awesome Rock, one of the outsiders in Saturday's $1.5 million feature over 2000m at Flemington.

Until 1979 the Australian Cup was run as a handicap before a switch to a weight-for-age conditions.

Corstens knows a thing or two about winning the Australian Cup from his days as foreman for Bart Cummings who won the race 13 times.

"If it was a handicap I would have said he's there with a very big chance," Corstens said.

"But I think under weight-for-age conditions he may be a length or two off them.

"If we get a little bit of luck with the draw and again in the run, he might be able to make up that length."

Awesome Rock finished second over 2000m at Caulfield last October before closing out his spring campaign with an 1800m win at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week.

He resumed with a luckless effort in the CF Orr Stakes before finishing fourth behind Bow Creek in the Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield on February 27.

The Corstens stable targeted the Australian Cup and go into the race happy with the way the four-year-old.

Now the stable is hoping for an inside draw after two wide barriers.

Corstens will meet with owners following Saturday's race to firm up plans for Awesome Rock who holds a nomination for next month's Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick.

"It costs a lot of money if your not in and I did learn that off one of the masters of the game," he said.

Awesome Rock is a striking individual and Corstens would like to get a Group One win to make it easier to find the entire a home to stand at stud.