'Happiest horse ever': Coast cup hopes growing

Owners of an outside chance in tomorrow's Melbourne Cup are seeing all the right signs ahead of what could prove an historic day.

Jockey Stephen Baster riding Runaway wins the Geelong Cup on October 24, 2018. Picture: Michael Dodge

OWNERS of an outside chance in tomorrow's Melbourne Cup are seeing all the right signs ahead of what could prove an historic day.

Coolum Beach couple Dave and Richelle Wright flew to Melbourne this morning and were preparing for a pre-Melbourne Cup launch event at Government House tonight.

The pair are part owners in Runaway, a Gai Waterhouse-trained 4yo which won his start on Tuesday after a win in the Geelong Cup and a solid slice of luck.

Paying $34 on Friday, Runaway was currently listed as a $41 fixed-odds chance with Ladbrokes.

Despite the increasing odds, Mr Wright had been given plenty of encouragement ahead of the nation's most famous race.

RELAXED: Dave and Richelle Wright calm their Melbourne Cup nerves with a champagne at Sunshine Coast Airport. Picture: Contributed

Mr Wright said jockey Stephen Baster had sent him a message this week saying Runaway was the "happiest horse ever" and he was loving his work in preparation for the Melbourne Cup.

Mr and Mrs Wright were expecting to meet with Gai Waterhouse late Monday and learn more about how their horse was shaping up ahead of the 3200m test.

(L-R) Jockey Stephen Baster, strapper Sally-Anne Bourke, trainer Gai Waterhouse and Anthony Mithen are seen after Runaway won the Geelong Cup on October 24. Picture: JULIAN SMITH

Yucatan remained the favourite with punters at the tote ($7.80) late Monday, but there was plenty of support for Magic Circle.

The race remained wide open with only two horses at single-digit odds less than 24 hours before the field jumped at Flemington.