THE two trainers carrying Britain’s Melbourne Cup hopes admitted they will party hard “whether we win or lose” on Tuesday.
One went on to say they had little doubt that Melbourne would provide a “more than adequate venue” in which to let their hair down after the race.
North Yorkshire trainer Brian Ellison and Newmarket-based Harry Eustace both have runners in the £4 million ‘race that stops a Nation’.
And to them, this already feels like a win.
Because last month, both men made the 20-hour flight to Werribee last month unsure whether they would get a start in the iconic race.
But Ellison’s Onesmoothoperator booked himself a ticket when obliterated his Aussie rivals in the Geelong Cup, and now he’s third favourite at 13-2 for the Lexington showpiece.
The horse has already made his trainer very happy this season when winning the Pitman’s Derby, known now as the Northumberland Plate.
Ellison, who was born on Plate day in Newcastle, only ten minutes from the track, had always wanted to win the race.
And Eustace’s Sea King secured his place with a stylish win in the Bendigo Cup.
Eustace, son of flat-trainer James Eustace, has already had a crack at the Aussie racing scene this year, with down-the-field Juddmonte International finisher Docklands coming fifth in the Cox Plate.
But both trainers already feel like they’re on the winning side when it comes to the big one.
Ellison said: “Celebrations are going to be whether we win or lose. When we came here three weeks ago we were like 100-1.
“We’re both in the Melbourne Cup, we’ll celebrate regardless. We’ve had a good time, we’ve both had a winner.
“We work hard, we play hard!”
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Eustace is no stranger to Australian celebrations – his brother David has had successes this side of the globe with former co-trainer Ciaron Maher.
He said: “I’m sure Melbourne will provide a very adequate party place, as Brian said, whatever happens,” Eustace added.
“There is a slight feeling, I suspect, almost in both camps, that it’s almost a win getting in (to the field) and we’re just determined to enjoy the rest of it.
“We’ve got a fun few days coming up and it’s fantastic to be a part of it!”
The race was significantly weakened when Aidan O’Brien’s favourite Jan Brueghel was ruled out due to a vet-check which sent his trainer into a complete frenzy.
But they still have some still competition, and both agree Willie Mullins’ Vauban is the one to watch.
Ellison said: “I think Vauban should be favourite … his form is really top class.
“But we’re hopeful about Onesmoothoperator.
“As for Australia – this is by far the best palace to come, the racing, the people, the sunshine, it’s a great place to come, I recommend anybody to come here.”
Eustance added: “I think Vauban is a big price, based on what he’s done. He finished second to Kyprios, who is by a long way our best stayer in Europe.
“He was all the rage last year, Willie’s (Mullins) a genius, I don’t see why there’s such a big swing.”
Last year the Melbourne Cup crowd celebrations went above and beyond, with race-goers partying as if the end of the world was around the corner.
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