IN FAST LANE

Trainer’s faith as hoop chases history

HISASHI Shimizu has “complete belief” in Mer de Glace and Damian Lane as the pair chase Melbourne Cup history.

Lane, 25, will attempt to become the first jockey in history to land all three of Melbourne’s spring majors — the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup — in the same season, adding to the Golden Slipper he landed in the autumn.

Cup victory for the ruling Ladbrokes $6 favourite would also deliver Japan an unprecedented sweep of Victorian racing’s crown jewels after the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate triumphs of Mer de Glace and Lys Gracieux.

Lane partnered both and

Shimizu believes the Sandgroper’s familiarity with Flemington and Mer de Glace will offset stamina concerns.

“I’ve been asked the question a million times about his stamina but I believe in the horse and the jockey,” Shimizu said. “I have complete belief in Damian Lane and Mer de Glace.

“The horse should be able to run out 3200m.”

Mer de Glace was dominant in the Caulfield Cup, running eight more metres than his rivals and drawing a 1kg penalty for the authority of the victory. Drawn in barrier two, Mer de Glace will again be ridden conservatively.

“I’ve watched Melbourne Cup replays but I don’t really think the barrier will affect things that much,” Shimizu said yesterday.

“I believe in the jockey and the horse.

“The horse is very well. He was 100 per cent going into the Caulfield Cup and he is the same now.”

Japan’s previous Cup victory came when Delta Blues downed Pop Rock in an allJapanese finish.