Queensland trainer Ben Ahrens will saddle up Spechenka in the Tatt’s Cup at Randwick on Saturday week as he attempts to gain a Melbourne Cup berth.

Spechenka will head to the Tatt's Cup in an attempt to chase a Melbourne Cup start. Photo by: Steve Hart.

The seven-year-old gelding was one of 67 acceptors when the latest round of Melbourne Cup declarations were announced yesterday but is currently 45th in the order of entry.

With Ahrens convinced the 3200m on offer in the Melbourne Cup is his stable star’s best distance, he is going to do all he can to try and gain a start.

“He’ll stay in the acceptances all the way through. It’s the most suitable distance for him and we’re going to have a crack and try and get in,” Ahrens said.

“At this stage we’re looking to take him to the Tatt’s Cup at Randwick on Saturday week.”

Ahrens said he hoped a strong win in the Listed Tatt’s Cup (2400m) would see the veteran receive a penalty but if not he may head to Melbourne for a final attempt at qualification.

“We’re hoping if he did happen to win that he might attract a bit of a penalty to get him up the order of entry,” he said.

“If not we might look at taking him to Melbourne and try and find a race and obviously a large attrition rate would help as well.

“We’re certainly going to have a crack at it.”

Ahrens is confident the Danachenka gelding can make an impact in the Tatt’s Cup after running a strong second in the Garrards Pesticides Handicap (2200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday in what was his fourth start of the spring.

“It was nice to see him fight all the way to the line and only just get beaten in what wasn’t really a suitable race,” Ahrens said.

“I don’t know what it is with the horse, it doesn’t matter how long he is out, he just seems to need a few runs under his belt to get going.”

Spechenka has had two trips to Sydney with his best a result a win in the Group 3 Summer Cup (2400m) in 2010.