WAVE IT OFF
Gai plays down her Cup hopes saying it’s Lloyd’s to lose
GAI Waterhouse, trainer of outsider Cismontane, has conceded legendary owner Lloyd Williams has one hand on a record sixth Melbourne Cup trophy with defending champ Almandin at Flemington today.
“Lloyd’s horse, Almandin, holds the key,’’ Waterhouse said last night.
“Almandin is the class stayer of the race. He is well weighted for a horse that won the Melbourne Cup last year. He is the one we all have to beat.’’
Almandin is second favourite at $9.50 with UBET to join an elite group to have won multiple Melbourne Cups. Makybe Diva (200304-05) is the only three-peat Melbourne Cup winner, while Archer (1861-62), Peter Pan (1932, 1934), Rain Lover (1968-69) and Think Big (1974-75) are the only other dual winners.
Williams, who has six starters in today’s Melbourne Cup, said Almandin was “in particularly good order.”
“He’s a European horse and he needs a European jockey like Frankie Dettori, who is at the peak of his powers,’’ Williams said.
“I’d be very surprised if he didn’t run a great race.”
Marmelo is into $8 favouritism to become the first English-trained stayer to win a Melbourne Cup.
Waterhouse’s stayer Cismontane is rated a $51 chance after securing a start with his win in the Lexus Stakes on Saturday.
“It is a dream come true getting this horse into the Cup,’’ said Waterhouse, who won the great race with Gold Coast-owned horse Fiorente back in 2013.
“Realistically, he is probably an outsider but it is good for my co-trainer, Adrian (Bott) and I to have him in the race.
“I know it was a tough win on Saturday but he took my breath away how well he looked the next day.”