The Melbourne Cup always gets attention from around the world and among those looking on from afar today will be Melvyn Ford, the Hong Kong-based Brit who owns a part share in Russian Camelot.

"I wake up every morning and pinch myself that we have a horse good enough to run in the race," Ford said, while taking in the action at Sha Tin on Sunday.

"I've not left Hong Kong for the past seven months due to the pandemic, so will be watching on the television with the rest of the world."

Russian Camelot will be racing beyond 2500 metres for the first time in his career today, but Ford feels the South Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) winner will see out the longer distance.

"He ran a super race in the Cox Plate, having to work hard from a very wide draw. He was probably entitled to drop out but stuck on so bravely to finish third, but the Cup is a different ballgame. You never know about the trip until you try and you learn as you go. He obviously ran well in the South Australian Derby over a mile and four and a half, so that has created some confidence he has got a chance of handling the new trip."