Twilight in zone for Cup defence

PROMINENT owner Nick Williams rates Spanish Mission, not raging favourite Incentivise as the “biggest danger” to Melbourne Cup champion Twilight Payment.

Twilight Payment cleared quarantine on Saturday night but must stay at the Werribee International Horse Centre at least until after the Cup on November 2 under new Racing Victoria regulations. Williams has shared in four of father Lloyd’s record seven Cups, including three in the past five years.

Incentivise throttled Australia’s best stayers with a breathtaking Caulfield Cup victory and will now face world-class opposition for the first time, albeit a smaller contingent than in recent years.

“I’m leaving the favourite out, it might just come out and win by five lengths, I’ve got no idea about it, only looking at exposed form,” Williams said.

“Spanish Mission is a very good stayer, no question about that, they’ve got 57 (kg) and 58 (kg) for a reason.”

Twilight Payment has 58kg in the Cup, 1kg more than Incentivise and Spanish Mission.

“In April-May I thought it would be a waste of time even thinking of bringing him back,” Williams said.

“As the year has gone I’ve really warmed to it and I’ve got to the point now I think he’s as good a chance winning as any.”