EMIRATES Melbourne Cup winner Almandin has shown he will be a formidable opponent in this year’s edition after stepping out for an eye-catching win in the Listed Japan Racing Association Trophy over 2,500 meters at Flemington on Saturday.

In a field of 13, dominated by six Robert Hickmott-trained and Lloyd Williams-owned runners, Almandin, carrying 61kg with Damien Oliver up, relished the solid tempo set by stablemate Granddukeoftuscany to slip through on the rail and burst clear with 300 metres to run.