The nearest the former champion jockey has come to winning the two-mile showpiece was in 1999 when his bid to make all on Central Park was only just thwarted by the fast finish of Rogan Josh.

“One thing is for sure, we are not going to run the last 300 in 33 seconds,” he said. “The plan is to take the sting out of their legs and make it a steady pace.”

Traditionally tactics for the race have been for the horses to emerge quickly out of the gate, gain a position down the straight for the first time before slowing down on the back stretch prior to winding up off the final bend.

That, according to Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford, means that the Melbourne Cup is not a race for true stayers.

“Australian horses don’t really stay,” said Crisford.

“In Europe, a lot of horses are bred to go over this distance. With the Aussie horses, their style of racing lends itself to not running a true two miles race.

“With the strong European influence this year you’ll have a genuine two miles contest.”

Seven horses from Europe will be in the 24 strong field to face the starter at 4.10am and a quartet of them head the betting for the race which will be watched on course by over 120,000 people, together with a huge worldwide television audience.

Godolphin representatives Pugin and Beekeeper vie for favouritism along with the Dermot Weld-trained Irish pair Vinnie Roe – Pugin’s victor in the Irish Classic – and Media Puzzle.

They are joined by a third Godolphin raider in Hatha Anna, the Alan Jarvis-trained Jardines Lookout and many people’s opinion of a dark horse Daliapour, trained at Newmarket by Sir Michael Stoute.

While Crisford believes Pugin will give Godolphin its first success in the race he fears both Vinnie Roe and Daliapour.

“On the book Pugin has a tremendous chance,” he said. “If he runs to the form he showed at the Curragh he could win.

“But,” he asks, “did we see Vinnie Roe at his best? I don’t think we did and while it’s difficult to comment on other people’s horses Vinnie Roe looks the class horse of the race and if he runs to his class he will win.

“Another class horse is Daliapour, he is certainly better than his current quoted odds.”

Daliapour is currently available at around 40-1, however, many shrewd judges are beginning to latch on to the chances of the 1999 dual Derby runner-up who has proved his mettle on past overseas missions by landing the Group One Hong Kong Vase in 2000.

Dettori who also rates Vinnie Roe as the big danger was asked why, given his brilliant record round the world, he has only ever ridden two winners in Australia.

“Because I can’t make donkeys run any faster,” he smiled, making reference to the fact he has only paid flying visits Down Under and is only offered rides the leading jockeys refuse.

However, Dettori has a good relationship with the Australian racing public.

“I enjoy the crowds,” he said. “They give me a tough time but it’s all done with tongue in cheek and I enjoy it.

“However, it will be a bit different tomorrow – we have a genuine chance.”