Queensland Derby winner Empires Choice is back in work with trainer Bart Cummings who believes he will be a major part of his bid for a 12th Melbourne Cup.

Cummings sent the colt to Princes Farm intending to give him a few weeks off after his triumph in the Derby (2400m) on June 9 but changed his mind after a couple of weeks.

"In the end he only had two weeks off. It was too cold out in the paddock so I brought him back to Leilani Lodge," Cummings said.

"He's bucking his brands off and will begin his spring campaign next month.

"My other Cups horses will be Sirmione, Fianchetto, Sir James, Prince Arthur to name a few.

"They'll all be there."

Empires Choice is by supersire Redoute's Choice out of Rosie's Star, a daughter of 1988 Melbourne Cup winner Empire Rose.

The colt was stakes placed as a two-year-old but did not manage a win until March of this year when he broke through at Hawkesbury.

He claimed his second victory in the Rough Habit Plate at Doomben on May 26 and backed that up with his Derby success two weeks later in which Sirmione finished a close third.

Fianchetto hasn't raced since finishing 10th in the AJC Australian Derby on an unsuitable heavy track with Sir James one place ahead of him.

Both are by Coolmore stallion Montjeu, sire of this year's Epsom Derby winner Authorized.

Cummings, who will turn 80 in November, is currently sixth on the Sydney trainers' premiership and celebrated a winning double with Mulaman and Gretchenella at Randwick on Saturday.

In January this year, Cummings won his second Magic Millions Classic with Mimi Lebrock who stepped up her preparation with a recent barrier trial win at Hawkesbury.

The filly will be aimed at the $1 million Golden Rose on September 1 at Rosehill.

© AAP 2010 Published 15/07/07