They came and flirted with taking Australian racing's biggest prize back to Europe, but it won't deter Jakkalberry's Italian-born trainer Marco Botti and Mount Athos' eccentric owner Dr Marwan Koukash from restocking their arsenal for next year's Melbourne Cup.
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Botti beamed as Caulfield Cup disappointment Jakkalberry produced a stunning burst over the last furlong to finish third, while Koukash was equally pleased as Mount Athos dodged traffic at the top of the straight to finish fifth.
In the immediate aftermath of yesterday's running of the Melbourne Cup, Botti confirmed he would love to return from his United Kingdom base to again enter horses in the $6 million event.
"It's been a great experience," he said. "I'm sure if we have a suitable horse we'll come back.
"I knew we left a little bit in the horse and [yesterday] was going to be the main target. We had him at his best so we are absolutely delighted."
Koukash went one better, describing the Melbourne Cup as the "greatest show on earth" and outlining his intention to bring as many as three horses for next year's great race.
"It's the biggest sporting show on earth," Koukash enthused. "We guys are just very, very honoured and proud to be a part of it.
"As long as I'm involved in racing you will see me here year in and year out. I definitely have the horses for next year and the year after.
"God willing I will have more horses for afterwards.
"This is going to be an annual event for me and you'll definitely see me next year."
Despite Mount Athos failing to become the first British-trained horse to win the event, Koukash nominated the unbeaten Gabrial's Kaka an even more exciting prospect if able to stay out the two-mile trip.
Australian racing's first lady Gai Waterhouse trained her third Melbourne Cup runner-up with Fiorente, a horse she hadn't even laid eyes on until a fortnight ago.
Waterhouse and her band of owners, which also cheered home Glencadam Gold into sixth, were in a jovial mood after the race.
"You look at my bank account," Waterhouse replied when quizzed whether she was frustrated with her run of near misses in the one race that has eluded her.
"It's just a treat to have a runner in the Cup, and to have two runners that ran second and sixth you dream about it," she said.
"We'll get over this lot and then we'll start on the next lot. Both of them are BMW horses, Ranvet and Australia Cup horses. We might go overseas - you never know where we'll go."
Kelinni kept up the impressive record of Lexus Stakes winners who back up in the Cup finishing fourth.
