Robert Hickmott has drawn on owner Lloyd Williams's six decades of racing experience to train Almandin to win the Melbourne Cup.

Hickmott became Williams's head trainer in 2009 and prepared Green Moon to win the Cup for him in 2012.

Almandin gave Hickmott his second Cup and Williams a record fifth as owner, fighting off the challenge of Heartbreak City at Flemington on Tuesday.

"He's a wonderful man to pass on knowledge that he absorbs from people all around the world and from his own experiences in over 60 years of racing," Hickmott said.

"Lloyd, we can't thank you enough for what you've done for us."

He said jockey Kerrin McEvoy had given Almandin a fantastic ride.

"You've had a great strike rate with us over the last year and hopefully that continue through until next Saturday," Hickmott said.

Hickmott praised staff at Macedon Lodge for bringing Almandin's temperament under control.

"He was a difficult horse," he said.

"He was a hot horse and now he's a level-headed boy. He's calmed down."