Cup bids hinge on weights

RACING Victoria handicapper Greg Carpenter is likely to decide the Melbourne Cup fates of last year’s winner Almandin and Irish champion Order Of St George.

Lloyd Williams yesterday confirmed a tilt at successive Cups with Almandin was “very much our desire”, but a decision would hinge on what weight the eight-year-old was allocated.

Almandin carried 52kg in November when a narrow victor over Heartbreak City and is currently on the second line of TAB betting at $21 behind Admire Deus and Hartnell (both $15).

Almandin resumes over 2040m at Moonee Valley on Saturday, when he will be ridden by Ben Melham.

The former German took three runs last year to peak after arriving in Australia, winning the Harry White (2400m) and the Bart Cummings (2600m) before snaring the Melbourne Cup.

Williams indicated Order Of St George’s future would also depend on Carpenter’s handicapping after he received equal topweight of 58kg last season — and stayed in Europe for the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Declaring the Aidan O’Brien-trained star as a “50-50” chance to travel to Australia, Williams said the next target is the Irish St Leger on September 10 — just before Melbourne Cup weights are released. O’Brien will then consider either a Cup bid with Order Of St George or another crack at the Arc, in which he finished third last year behind Found and Highland Reel.

Williams said Bondi Beach, Aloft and Kilimanjaro could be aimed at the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups if “they continue to improve”.

Williams, the owner of five Melbourne Cup winners, said Rekindling, trained by O’Brien’s son Joseph, was a “70-30” chance to come to Australia, while Johannes Ver- meer will be set for the Caulfield Cup. Johannes Vermeer, also trained by Aidan O’Brien, started favourite when second in the Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown on August 10 to stablemate Spanish Steps.

It is likely Johannes Vermeer, a $35 TAB chance for the Caulfield Cup, will be among the first contingent of internationals to arrive at Werribee on September 30.

Along with Almandin, Williams has entered Bondi Beach, Aloft, Kilimanjaro, Hans Holbein and Grandduke of tuscany at Moonee Valley on Saturday.