Dandy Gent is a promising young stayer of their stables and will have his best chance of qualifying when he runs in the Bart Cummings 2500m at Flemington on Sunday.

Dandy Gent is yet to run over that distance this preparation, but the distance is not a worry for Karina.

“We are a long long way short of the Melbourne Cup, but he was nominated because we think he can stay,” O’Sullivan said.

“We think he has the distance whether he is up to that class we are yet to discover. He hasn't really been tried either so we will wait and see.”

Dandy Gent ran a strong second in a listed race in Adelaide in his last start over 1800m and he will push out to 2500m this weekend.

“It was a really good run for him,” O’Sullivan said.

“The Bart Cummings will be his big test. That is a genuine lead up to the Melbourne Cup so if he can run a place that is when you know whether you continue with the Melbourne Cup or go in another direction.”

Former Melbourne Cup runner Dolphin Jo qualified for his start in the race that stops the nation through the Bart Cummings and O’Sullivan hopes Dandy Gent can do the same.

Dandy Gent is yet to record a win this preparation, but the trainers believe his best is still to come.

“He is a big horse and he takes big strides and it is all coming together,” she said.

“In his races when he is turning for home he cant accelerate because he has such a big stride he has to balance and straighten up. Flemington should be ideal for him and we think the best is yet to come.”

Magnapal will also run this weekend as he attempts to qualify for the Caufield Cup for a second consecutive year.

The buzz around spring carnival was soured when it was made public that two of O’Sullivan’s horses returned elevated cobalt readings.