Mossman connections of last year’s Melbourne Cup winning horse, Vow and Declare are hoping history will repeat itself today when the Australian five-year-old gelding has another tilt at the race that stops a nation.

The Danny O’Brien trained, Vow and Declare shocked the country last year when he crossed the line first, and while he’s an outside chance this year, Mossman’s Lanskey and Walker families will be watching the race just as intently as last year.

Tess Walker - whose extended family owns the horse, including her brother, former Mossman resident, Anthony Lanskey, her uncle, cousins and nephews - said Vow is looking good but it’s a tough field this year.

“For him to win again would be an absolute miracle come true, but history tells us winning twice doesn’t happen very often, but if he did, we would be very lucky people,” she said.

“We are die-hard fans and the whole family will all be having a bet on him.

“We all feel like we have a part in this horse, we are very invested and very excited,” she said.

Locals may recognise the Lanksey name from the late Dr Bob Lanskey who was a well-known doctor in the area for many years. It is Dr Lanskey’s brother, Paul Lanskey who bred the gelding, before entering into co-ownership with 12 other people, including Dr Lanskey’s son, Anthony and both their children.

And while he may not be a favourite this year, Ms Lanskey said the long distance of the Cup is suited to Vow and Declare.

“He’s a stayer.

“The longer the better, he just loves running,” she said.

“We just love that he is in the Cup again, to have a horse capable of being in that talented line up is amazing,” she said.