Mount Athos conquered but will be back for another Cup tilt

NOT satisfied with a third placing, the owner of Mount Athos has declared his intention to return for another shot at the Melbourne Cup.

Mount Athos (left) finishes behind Fiorente and Red Cadeaux in the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Getty Images

NOT satisfied with a third placing in Australia's best race, the owner of Mount Athos has declared his intention to return for another shot at the Melbourne Cup.

Marwan Koukash had confidently declared Mount Athos would win the Melbourne Cup in the lead-up to the race.

And he admitted to being disappointed despite Mount Athos turning in a brave performance from a wide barrier for third behind Fiorente and Red Cadeaux.

"Very, very disappointing,'' Koukash said.

"I really thought we could win. Many people would be happy with third, we're not happy with that.

"We'll be back next year. We'll try with Mount Athos and maybe with something else. One hundred per cent we will be back.''

Trainer Luca Cumani has twice had the runner-up in the Melbourne Cup and Mount Athos, who was an unlucky fifth last year, became the Newmarket-based trainer's third Cup placing since 2007.

He was proud of the horse's effort and said he had no complaints.

"He ran a great race,'' Cumani said.

"There was no bad luck. He had a good position. He finished well and ran well.''

Cumani also plans to return to Melbourne next spring if he can find the right horse.

The wait also goes on for Craig Williams who needs to win a Melbourne Cup to join an elite list of jockeys to have won all four 'majors' in Australian racing - the Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Golden Slipper.

Williams said Mount Athos was tenacious in defeat.

"We made our run with Red Cadeaux. At the 200m mark I didn't think I had much horse left. At the 100 I didn't have any horse. It was just his sheer will and determination that he's held on for third,'' Williams said.