Melbourne Cup: Vow to wear pink G-string isn’t funny and shows no respect

The owner of a Melbourne Cup chance who vows to wear a pink G-string if he wins says he’s just jazzing things up. This isn’t an Adam Sandler movie.

Owner of Magic Circle, Marwan Koukash, is threatening to wear a pink G-string if his horse wins. Picture: AAP.

A visitor to Australia. The owner of a Melbourne Cup chance. A vow to accept the trophy while wearing a pink G-string.

Quick question. How about a little respect? This is a marquee day in Australian sport, not an Adam Sandler movie.

Marwan Koukash is the 58-year-old billionaire owner of Magic Circle. He’s a Palestinian

refugee now based in England. His runner is a legitimate chance of winning the 158th edition of the Cup, especially now it’s bucketing down in Melbourne.

Magic Circle has won two consecutive races this year by six lengths in England. He’s being ridden by last year’s Cup-winning jockey, Corey Brown. The rain and heavy track are exactly what Koukash has been asking for.

Magic Circle has become equal favourite with Yucatan. And if he wins …

BrMagic Circle has become a favourite to win. Picture: AFP

“This is the lace that stops the nation,” Koukash has said while holding up a pink G-string.

”When we win that cup tomorrow, shortly after 3pm, Flemington will see something it has never seen before and is unlikely to see again.”

In another interview, he said: “I will — and no-one here is going to stop me, even with the threat of a ban for life — I’m gonna strip down to my G-string, keep my tie and shoes and get up and receive the trophy. I’ve lost 25 kilos. I’ve been training hard for the last year, well, the last six months, so I look very desirable now. I think my wife will probably end up divorcing me but listen, it’s easier to find a new wife than win the Melbourne Cup.”

You wouldn’t be trying this on at Wimbledon. Or Augusta National. Or Royal Ascot. Or an Olympic

presentation ceremony. Why? The honour and tradition of the venues. The magnitude of the

events they host. The Melbourne Cup is 16 years older than Wimbledon. It has as much hard-

earned prestige as any sporting event in the world. And this sort of stunt will be allowed?

There’s been no hint of “hang on a sec, mate, you won’t be doing that here”.

Winners are meant to feel extreme gratitude to be part of the event, let alone possibly winning it.

The Manchester-based Koukash says he’s just adding colour. Jazzing it up a bit. And oh, how everyone has laughed along with him. What a character! Get your gear off! Please. He’s threatening to mock the Cup, something we hold dear.