Weighty Cup decisions
RACING Victoria’s Greg Carpenter will ultimately 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 Almandian was “very much our desire”, but a final decision will hinge what weight the eight-year-old is allocated.
Almandin carried 52kg in November when a narrow victor over Heartbreak City.
Almandin resumes over 2040m at Moonee Valley on Saturday, when he’ll 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 over 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 target the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups if “they continue to improve.”
Owner of five Melbourne Cup winners, Williams said Rekindling, trained by O’Brien’s son Joseph, was a “70-30” chance to come to Australia while Johannes Vermeer will be set for the Caulfield Cup.
Also trained by Aidan O’Brien, Johannes Vermeer started favourite when second in the Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown on August 10 to stablemate Spanish Steps.
It is likely Johannes Vermeer 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 Granddukeoftuscany at Moonee Valley on Saturday.