Australia's most famous horse race, the $3.2million Melbourne Cup, has eluded Godolphin's clutches over the years. But all that could change tomorrow when Mamool runs with a big chance of winning the gruelling 3,200 metre contest at Flemington racecourse.

Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor is confident and so are the punters who have passionately backed Mamool down to 13-2 as local favourite Mummify was eased in the betting following a controversial run in the Caulfied Cup.

Mamool, who will break from the favourable 11th barrier of the 24-horse field, is the fourth Godolphin horse to contest the Melbourne Cup.

Beekeeper was third last year while Godolphin claimed the runner-up position in 2001 and '99 with Give The Slip and Central Park respectively.

But Suroor believes Mamool is the perfect horse for the races. "Every year I've said that we have brought the right horse, but this year I think I will be proved right," he said.

"Mamool has the class and ability to win a race like the Melbourne Cup. With a little bit of luck in running, I hope he can win."

Mamool is a genuine stayer and has exciting recent form on his side.

He comes into the race having scored two Group One wins in Germany. Though both wins came over the shorter distance of a mile and a half, Mamool has shown that he is capable of staying till the cows come home when winning the two-mile Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot last season as well as finishing fourth in the St Leger.

The son of In The Wings began the season by winning the Yorkshire Cup before disappointing in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

Suroor has been in Australia since the middle of last week, monitoring and supervising Mamool's final preparations with the help of work rider Seamus O'Gorman.

Mamool will have company in the race in the form of stablemate Millstreet who is stepping up in class.

Italian-born jockey Frankie Dettori will beaboard Mamool while Melbourne rider Patrick Payne will partner Millstreet.

The field includes top conteders like Makybe Diva, Frightening, Grey Song and Mummify. The Alan Jarvis-trained British stayer Jardines Lookout, who was seventh in last year's Cup, shares topweight of 55.5kg with Mamool but is also unwanted by punters at 40-1.

The James Given-trained Hugs Dancer followed a third in the 3,621m Doncaster Cup with a seventh in last month's Caulfield Cup and is listed at 16-1.

The Melbourne Cup king Bart Cummings, who has trained a record 11 victories in the race, has prepared Frightening which is listed as the 7-1 equal second favourite with another local hope, the David Hall-trained Makybe Diva.

Australia's industry stops during the running of the Cup. The Prime Minister announced on October 31 federal parliament's question time would be suspended to allow members to follow the race.

Latest odds :
13-2 Mamool, 7-1 Makybe Diva, Frightening, 8-1 Pentastic, 9-1 Grey Song, 10-1 Mummify, Distinctly Secret 11-1 Zagalia, 16-1 Hugs Dancer, 20-1 Mr Prudent, 25-1 Big Pat, 30-1 Holy Orders, Tumeric, 40-1 Yakama, Millstreet, Jardines Lookout, Aint Seen Nothin', 50-1 She's Archie, County Tyrone, Fawaz.