Williams can’t split his stayers

LLOYD Williams is hoping for some divine intervention as he chases a fifth Group 1 $ 2 million Schweppes Sydney Cup ( 3200m) with either Almandin or Aloft at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Almandin ($ 3.50) and Aloft ($ 6.50) are the early fixed odds favourites for the Sydney Cup but their owner believes there is nothing separating the two stayers.

“My late friend, the great Tommy Smith, would be proud of the way these two horses look,’’ Williams said.

“TJ had a very good eye for horses and he wanted them very fit. I can’t have Almandin and Aloft any fitter or going any better into the Sydney Cup.

“We’ve still got a few days to go until the race and I can’t fault either horse but only the good Lord knows whether they can win.’’

Williams has won Sydney Cups with Major Drive ( 1987), Gallic ( 2007), Mourayan ( 2013) and Gallante ( 2016) and would love a fifth in Randwick’s major staying race to go with his record six Melbourne Cup trophies.

Kerrin McEvoy, who won the Tancred Stakes on Almandin last start, goes on to Aloft at 51kg while Williams confirmed Damien Oliver will ride Cup topweight Almandin ( 57kg).

Meanwhile, champion jockey Corey Brown remains confident of being fit to ride at Warwick Farm tomorrow after suffering rib damage when nearly unseated from The Lord Mayor in the ATC Australian Derby.