MIKE DE KOCK, one of the world's most-travelled horse trainers, indicated yesterday that he was keen to target, for a second time, this year's $5.5 million Melbourne Cup after he lodged two entries for Australia's most important race, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.It says: De Kock journeyed to Australia in 2005 only to see his stayer, Grey's Inn, finish well back in the Melbourne Cup.Yesterday morning Racing Victoria received two nominations from the stable - Macarthur and King Of Rome - for

MIKE DE KOCK, one of the world's most-travelled horse trainers, indicated yesterday that he was keen to target, for a second time, this year's $5.5 million Melbourne Cup after he lodged two entries for Australia's most important race, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

It says: De Kock journeyed to Australia in 2005 only to see his stayer, Grey's Inn, finish well back in the Melbourne Cup.

Yesterday morning Racing Victoria received two nominations from the stable - Macarthur and King Of Rome - for this year's race. Macarthur and King Of Rome were formerly trained by champion Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien but Arab interests on behalf of de Kock purchased the pair in the past 12 months.

King Of Rome, a multiple group winner in Ireland, has been entered for the $2.5m Caulfield Cup as well as the Melbourne Cup. A noted stayer, King Of Rome could well compete in both races, unlike his stablemate Macarthur, which will be aimed specifically at the Melbourne Cup. Macarthur was successful in the group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot last year before failing in three recent starts in Dubai.

It's a significant boost for Racing Victoria, as de Kock has not only his South African base but operations in Dubai and Newmarket in England.