Mack puts money where Mouth is to snap up Melbourne Cup hope

US owner Earle Mack has leased the classy ex-Italian performer Dylan Mouth for a forthcoming Australian campaign which is hoped will culminate in a crack at the Melbourne Cup in November.

Marco Botti will continue to train the six-year-old, who registered his biggest domestic success when landing the Old Newton Cup at odds of 25-1 at Haydock last time.

The six-year-old, who is the winner of 13 of his 25 races and nearly £900,000 in prize money, would be Botti's fourth runner in 'the race that stops a nation' having previously fared best when Jakkalberry finished third in 2012.

Mack has been on the lookout for a suitable type for Australia for a number of years and has recently signed a lease for the son of Dylan Thomas with his new owners Worsall Grange Stud, who aim to stand him as a jumps stallion when his racing days are over.

Dylan Mouth has been given an opening quote of 40-1 by Paddy Power for the Melbourne Cup and Botti said: " Basically Earle Mack has signed a lease for Dylan Mouth and he's always wanted a runner in the Melbourne Cup. Working back from that, he could first go for the American St Leger but we might cut back on his travelling and stay at home for a trial in something like the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes at Newbury."

He added: "All being well he'll go out in the first shipment to Australia and could have a prep in the Caulfield Cup but we'll see how he is nearer the time. If all goes to plan the lease could be extended before he goes to stud where he'll stand alongside Cannock Chase I believe."

Mack's British-based racing manager Anthony Burke said: "Mr Mack has done well with horses before down under – such as Mad Rush – and we are looking forward to having a runner at the Spring Carnival and hopefully the Melbourne Cup. Dylan Mouth ticks all the right boxes and we will race him until he goes to stud."