Racing: Aidan O'Brien admits it would "mean the world" to win the Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington next week. The Ballydoyle handler had no luck at the Breeders' Cup meeting in Santa Anita but saddles the favourite, Septimus in the famous two-mile handicap.
O'Brien will also be represented by Doncaster Cup winner Honolulu and Lingfield Derby Trial winner Alessandro Volta.
"It would mean the world to win it," said O'Brien. "To win a race like this, you can't describe it. To win would be unbelievable."
When asked if Septimus, a winner of eight of his 12 starts, was unbeatable in the Cup, O'Brien replied: "A horse is never unbeatable. He's in good form and was an impressive winner (of the Irish St Leger) on his last start."
The three Coolmore runners form part of the strongest ever overseas challenge with Godolphin and Luca Cumani strongly represented.
"It just goes to show the regard this race is held with the rest of the world," O'Brien continued. "We all want to win it. Everyone wants to be here and everyone wants to experience it."
Godolphin's trainer Saeed bin Suroor echoed O'Brien's sentiments.
"It's one of the three biggest races in the world we haven't won, along with the Japan Cup and the Kentucky Derby," said bin Suroor. "We've been second twice but we think we've brought the right horse this time."
Godolphin will be represented by BMW Caulfield Cup winner All The Good.