Wagga's Wayne Ford off to Flemington for the 2021 Melbourne Cup with Floating Artist

Ford will be on track at Flemington to watch Floating Artist compete in the race that stops the nation.

Ford purchased his first share in a racehorse a couple of years ago and that experience with the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace stable has now led him to Flemington on the first Tuesday in November.

Maher purchased a couple of European stayers last year and Ford jumped at the opportunity to get involved, ultimately settling on Floating Artist over Mankayan due to the reputation of sire Nathaniel.

The purchase has proven astute, with Floating Artist having won three of his six Australian starts and booking his place in the Melbourne Cup.

"It's amazing, really. I can't believe it, actually," Ford said.

"When I first bought into him, he looked like a promising stayer, he'd done well and I thought gee it would be good to have a horse that can run in the city and possibly have a run at Flemington. I reckon that would be great.

"Then he won at Flemington, won at Moonee Valley, won at Sandown."

Floating Artist was a hard luck story last start when flashing home for second in the Moonee Valley Cup (2500m).

The six-year-old gets in with just 50 kilograms and will start from barrier 10 for apprentice jockey Teodore Nugent.

Floating Artist is on the fifth line of betting at $16 with TAB, with Incentivise the $2.80 favourite.

Ford hopes Floating Artist will run another big race.

"It's an unknown really. If I was unbiased and looking up the form, you would think he could possibly run in the first half dozen," he said.

"He's fit as he's ever been. And although he's never run 3200, a couple of those races that he's won, one there the commentator said he looked like he could run another lap.

"He looks like he's really at the peak of his fitness. Hopefully he'll get the 3200. He's only carrying a postage stamp, only carrying 50 kilos so you never know."

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Ford had resigned himself to watching the race from home.

But that changed on Monday when an extra ticket became available.

"I'm very happy. I can't believe it. Going off to Melbourne and watching the Melbourne Cup," he said.

"The stable sent out an email saying because of COVID they were only allowed one ticket per owner. I thought I'm not going to go on my own so I wasn't going to go.

"And then today they sent me another email saying for whatever reasons there was two available if I wanted them. So I said yeah I'll have them. Michelle and I will go first thing in the morning."

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