Munsef will take his chance in the Melbourne Cup.(credit:
fastskybus)
English raider Munsef will be set the ambitious task of trying to become only the third European winner of the Melbourne Cup next month.
Trained by Ian Williams, the trainer has decided to cough up the £50,000 entry fee and the horse is currently in quarantine at Newmarket, before he gets set to fly to Melbourne for the big race.
"It's fantastic, like being in the Olympics," Williams explained. "To have a runner is very satisfying."
More than 100,000 spectators attend Melbourne Cup day at Flemington Park and he will try and join Vintage Crop in 1993 and Media Puzzle in 2002 as the only European horses to land the race.
The prize money is £1.7m for the winner and even 10th place pays £60,000 and Williams explained: "It is a huge punt but the horse merits his chance to go and we are delighted to take him.
"Munsef was going through the sales at Doncaster in May but the top offer was only £10,000.
"He was retained by the owner and sent to me at Alvechurch. Ever since then it has been a bit of a whirlwind but the wind is still blowing so we will keep whirling."
"Munsef is a lovely horse," said groom Dawn Oxley. "He's very quiet and laidback. He has the odd bite at you now and again but nothing major."
The horse is currently 150.00 on Betfair to cause a huge upset and land the famous trophy.