Lane in hot form ahead of Cup ride

Damian Lane's preparation for tomorrow's Emirates Melbourne Cup began well on Saturday when he rode Lyuba ($7) to victory in the Group III $200,000 Skip Sprint (1100m) at Flemington.

The 23-year-old hoop finally cracked a win aboard the seven-year-old mare, with the duo coming from fifth with 400m to go to win by a short half-head from Savanna Amour.

Remarkably, trainer Darren Weir told reporters after the race he had purchased Lyuba for just $2000 back in 2014.

The mare has now won the syndicate of owners more than $400,000, which all happen to be friends of Weirs.

The win was Lane's only one on the day from eight races, which included three for Weir.

Lane now has 34 wins from 213 races this season and is still the number one ranked jockey in Victoria.

Lane will take to the saddle in tomorrow's Cup race aboard Hartnell ($27), but his most promising ride will be aboard favourite Lubiton ($5.50) in the $150,000 James Boag's Premium Stakes (1800m).

The four-year-old mare will jump from barrier 14 in the 18-horse field.

Lubiton is third-up from a three week spell, with Blake Shinn riding her to victory across 1600m at Moonee Valley last month after a second place at Royal Randwick on October 14.