Former Melbourne Cup favourite Curren Mirotic has finished ninth in a Group Two race at Nakayama, his final lead-up ahead of his planned trip to Australia.
Japan's sole Melbourne spring carnival entry, Curren Mirotic's best performance this year has been his second in the Tenno Sho in May.
The gelding has eased to $31 for the Melbourne Cup with Hartnell the TAB's $14 favourite.