Ballan racing syndicator Darren Dance is getting closer to his dream of owning a Melbourne Cup winner.
Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, which is operated by Dance and his wife Liz, produced imported stayer Jakkalberry for a third in 2012.
Then on Tuesday, Irish-trained Heartbreak City went within a nose in finishing second to Almandin in the Cup.
Although they just missed out on the major prize, Dance was still upbeat.
“We’ll get our chance. It was a fantastic effort.”
Dance said while it might take 10 tries, they would keep trying to find get a win.
Trainer Tony Martin praised the brave performance of Heartbreak City.
"It's agonising to be chinned that little, but what a performance," Martin said.
"I couldn't be any prouder of the horse. To be so close, it was a magic performance all round.
"Hopefully we'll be back next year,” he said.
"I thought we were there in the straight," Martin said.
"He fought the other horse off once, but couldn't do it a second time.
"We wouldn't want to be going any further in a race like that, maybe back a furlong or two, in hindsight."
Martin said the ownership group had thoroughly enjoyed their first Melbourne Cup, but there was one person missing, George Swan, who bought into Heartbreak City after Martin claimed the horse in France.
Swan was diagnosed with cancer in August last year before dying three months later.
"There's only one man that I'm unhappy for and that's the man looking down, George Swan," Martin said.
