Trainer Ian Williams offers insight into the mind of eccentric owner Marwan Koukash ahead of Cup

AS owner Dr Marwan Koukash continued his headline-grabbing Melbourne Cup build up yesterday, his trainer Ian Williams continued to monitor what has been a meticulous preparation for Magic Circle.

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AS owner Dr Marwan Koukash continued his headline-grabbing Melbourne Cup build up yesterday, his trainer Ian Williams continued to monitor what has been a meticulous preparation for Magic Circle.

Koukash has superseded Sheik Mohammed and Lloyd Williams as the most prominent owner of this Melbourne Cup after committing to strip down to a specially made G-string should his horse Magic Circle win the $7.3 million race at Flemington on Tuesday.

The wealthy international businessman proudly showed off the lingerie of choice at yesterday’s Werribee international media call.

Trainer Marwan Koukash shows off the g-string he plans to wear should Magic Circle win the Melbourne Cup. Picture: AAP

Williams, who trains six horses for Koukash, has become accustomed to the owner’s extravagant ways and tipped he won’t back away from his threat if Magic Circle wins tomorrow.

“He will be very apparent straight after. He won’t go missing,” Williams says.

“He’s meant to be on a flight back to Dubai early Wednesday morning. If he runs well in the Melbourne Cup, the chances of him making that are very limited.”

Since transferring to Williams’ stable, Magic Circle is a new horse. His two wins have been by a combined 12 lengths and his Timeform rating has lifted from a middle of the road 108 to top class 122.

Magic Circle has a spell on the grass during a Werribee trackwork session. Picture: Michael Dodge

Koukash asked Williams to buy a horse to win the Chester Cup and the trainer filled the brief to perfection, which then opened the door for Koukash to come back to Australia, having run third previously in the Cup with Mount Athos.

“We found this horse last November and we bought him for 70,000 sterling, which isn’t a lot of money,” Williams said.

“He won the Chester Cup in May, so we thought we had a nice horse and we ran him in a Group 3 at Sandown, which he won and then we thought we had a really nice horse.

“We thought of what next and Marwan loves coming to Australia, because you guys make a fuss of him. He loves being outrageous and the one thing you do here is actually print some of the outrageous things he says, whereas back home they just ignore him.”

Marwan Koukash lifts the Melbourne Cup up for the fans at Federation Square in Melbourne.

Williams confessed it can be a “nightmare” training for Koukash at times, but one which he enjoys being part of.

“He behaves badly, but he’s good fun. He likes a laugh, he likes to be outrageous and I do think the guy has balls to send his horse over here,” Williams said.

“He’s not the Maktoums, he’s not whatever.

“It’s an expensive gig this. It’s not cheap. He’s got balls to do it (and) you guys might get to see them on Tuesday.”

Magic Circle trainer Ian Williams.

We’ve heard so much about Koukash, but what would it mean for Williams to win the race?

“It’s huge isn’t it? This is the biggest race in Australia, but it’s no longer the biggest race in Australia, it’s a huge race worldwide,” he said.

“I’m sure the locals aren’t mad keen about all the internationals turning up, but it makes the race what it is now.

“This isn’t an Australian race anymore, this is an international event and it’s a great international event.”