Whether it's his that name that rolls off the tongue easily or the staying powers he has displayed since coming from South Australia, he has quickly claimed a fair share of media attention in a short space of time.

Alcopop is one of those horses that appears on the scene occasionally like a bolt from the blue.

Nobody had hardly heard of him prior to his win in the Balaklava Cup (1600m), which in fairness wouldn't cause a ripple as far as Melbourne Cup betting is concerned.

Just 12 months ago he won a maiden at Morphettville over 1200 metres on the very same day that Viewed won the Melbourne Cup.

However Alcopop really came under notice when he won the JRA Cup (2040m) at the Moonee Valley night fixture.

After Saturday's success in the Sportingbet Herbert Power Stakes (2400m), a very serious Melbourne Cup contender has emerged.

Hence he is now challenging for favouritism in Cup betting on the strength of that impressive win.

The Geelong Cup has been suggested as his next run. He has already incurred a penalty from Saturday's win and would they risk an additional penalty if he was to win at Geelong?

The penalty free Mackinnon Stakes on Derby Day at weight for age could be the better option, another 1.5 kg could be the difference between winning and losing at the end of a tough Melbourne Cup.

On Saturday's win over 2400 metres he looked as if he would go much further as he left the opposition as if they were glued to the running rail.

The Melbourne Cup though is a test of sustained speed and endurance over 3200 metres.

The race is generally run at an average of 12.5 seconds for each 200 metres and still have a bit left for that long run in from the home turn to the winning post.

Every horse in the race will run the 3200 metres beyond question, but that is no assurance that he or she will win.

Alcopop has a pedigree of pluses and minuses. His sire line is sound being by the Melbourne Cup winner Jeune from a daughter of Blevic, a Derby winner who has proved a more than useful sire.

It could be said that Jeune has been used within this pedigree quite extensively but with only limited success.

The second dam Petite Luck is by At Talaq also a winner of the world's most prestigious handicap race.

Whether the influence of two Cup winners will be enough to get Alcopop over the line in this year's Cup remains to be seen.

He may be a freak that can do it on his own without the dependency on a really strong pedigree.

There is no staying blood on the immediate female line yet he could be the horse that can overcome that minus.

In summing up, if he had been entered for a premier sale as a yearling his pedigree would have let him down, but he doesn't know that.