Revelare has stamped his ticket to the spring’s biggest stage, clinching a start in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) with victory in Saturday’s Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m) at Flemington.

Under a composed ride from Declan Bates, the $2.90 favourite surged late to defeat Mormona ($6) by a long neck, with Sayedaty Sadaty ($8.50) close behind in third. The win earned Revelare a ballot exemption for the $10 million Melbourne Cup on November 4, a prize trainer Robert Hickmott has previously claimed with Green Moon (2012) and Almandin (2016).

“Third-up, first go at 2500, we knew he’d stay but it’s never easy at this level,” Hickmott said. “He’s a natural athlete, he doesn’t show much at home but he turns up raceday. Declan was terrific again.”

Originally targeted at the Roy Higgins earlier in the year, Revelare was ruled out through illness, prompting a campaign switch. After a sound return at Caulfield, he hit winning form over 2000m before stepping up in trip on Saturday to seal his Cup place.

The Group 3 The Bart Cummings looms as the logical next assignment, though Hickmott admitted he must weigh the impact of any extra penalty from future wins. “One of Lloyd’s biggest lessons was beating the handicapper,” he said. “We’ll sit down and map the best path.”

Punters can track Revelare’s progress towards the Cup, with betting markets already open for Flemington’s famous race via Australia’s trusted betting sites.