Mutual Regard© Photo Healy Racing
Johnny Murtagh has arrived in Australia optimistic of managing a far greater achievement in the Emirates Melbourne Cup than he ever made as a jockey.
Now training in County Kildare, Murtagh has the Ebor winner Mutual Regard and last year's Long Distance Cup hero Royal Diamond representing himself and boss Andrew Tinkler at Flemington next Tuesday.
While the 44-year-old is regarded as one of the greats in the saddle, winning countless Group Ones around the world, his most notable experience in the Melbourne Cup was finishing 18th on Septimus in 2008.
Murtagh, trainer Aidan O'Brien, as well as Wayne Lordan (Alessandro Volta) and Colm O'Donoghue (Honolulu), were controversially dragged in front of the Victorian stewards and asked to explain their tactics.
"It can't come any worse than that," he said.
"I've looked forward to it, it's a brilliant week, a brilliant occasion.
"I came to Australia when I was 17 to work for Peter Miers, I know how much the Melbourne Cup means to the Australian people. I've always had a soft spot in my heart for it, and I always believed I could win as a jockey. Maybe I can win it as a trainer.
"I was ready to retire, but when you come here and see the Melbourne Cup, it's days like this you're going to miss."
Murtagh has opted for the local expertise of Steven Arnold, former rider of So You Think, for Royal Diamond, and the legendary Damien Oliver for Mutual Regard.
"They seem in good form," Murtagh said after visiting the Werribee quarantine centre.
"Royal Diamond likes a bit of heat, he's fresh, well and happy.
"Mutual Regard seems happy, he's been here a while now. He's not flashy in the morning but on raceday he improves.
"Mutual Regard was impressive in the Ebor, that's a tough race to win with a lot of people trying to win it. After that, I started to believe he could run a good race.
"It's great to have Damien on board, he's a top-class jockey who has won the race three times before. Hopefully the horse will get him there to the furlong pole and Damien will do the rest.
"On form this year, Mutual Regard is better, he likes fast ground. But Royal Diamond on his day is a very, very high-class stayer.
"He won on Champions Day in England last year but he's here because he's in the race, and running for 2.5million. He deserves a shot."
