If any proof is still needed that the Melbourne Cup is a true international event, look no further than Mourilyan.Bred in Ireland, raced in the UK, the US, Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore, trained by a South African and owned by a Chechen dictator, the six-year-old is tackling Australia's biggest race on Tuesday.And while the punters have made Changingoftheguard the most fancied international runner in the field at $21, Mourilyan has gone about his work since arriving in Australia under the radar

If any proof is still needed that the Melbourne Cup is a true international event, look no further than Mourilyan.

Bred in Ireland, raced in the UK, the US, Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore, trained by a South African and owned by a Chechen dictator, the six-year-old is tackling Australia's biggest race on Tuesday.

And while the punters have made Changingoftheguard the most fancied international runner in the field at $21, Mourilyan has gone about his work since arriving in Australia under the radar.

But those who have seen the stayer work with the international runners at Sandown have certainly taken notice.

"Mourilyan is probably the pick of them," says jockey Danny Nikolic who is on board the Luca Cumani-trained Basaltico in Tuesday's Cup.

But trainer Herman Brown is happy for Mourilyan to avoid the exposure.

"I like to keep a low profile, nobody complains if you get a better result than expected," Brown said.

Brown believes the $26 on offer is good value, especially after seeing his horse's final workout on Sunday morning.

"We're really confident in the horse, he's worked really well and settled really well," Brown said.

"The horse looks like he's standing in his stables in England."

The fact he's not in England is Brown's biggest concern, however.

Even for such a well travelled horse, Brown is worried about how Mourilyan will handle the trek to the southern hemisphere.

"If this race was in England on Tuesday, he'd be a really big chance, but our anxiety is being in a foreign country and travelling so far," Brown said.

"I don't think the race is beyond him, he's good enough to win it, he has plenty of chance, but I'm just a bit worried about the travel."

He has not raced since August 29 when he won the March Stakes over 2800m at Goodwood in England, but Brown is not deterred by the prospect of returning to racing in a 3200m Melbourne Cup.

"He won really convincingly and easily and that made up my mind to bring him down here," Brown said.

"He has run well for us after a break before. And he has natural staying ability.

"All his runs in England, I've been very happy with, and it's a hard school in England. He's a very good galloper."

He proved his staying power when he came second in his two trips over 3200m this year - a Group Two race in Dubai in February in which Basaltico came third and the Goodwood Cup on July 30.