With ownership in an impressive six runners in Tuesday's A$6.5 million G1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington, Lloyd Williams's chance of recording back-to-back wins looks better than most, although it appears that another of the internationals could hold the winning form.
Lightly raced for a 5-year-old, and in great form this season, Hughie Morrison's Marmelo (GB) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}) recorded a fast finishing dead-heat for sixth in the G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Oct. 21, beaten just under three lengths by Boom Time (Aus) (Flying Spur {Aus}). Never having won below 2400m, two of his victories have been at 3000m, highlighted by a tough win in the G2 Prix Kergorlay on Aug. 20, a race that Americain (Dynaformer) in 2010 and Protectionist (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) in 2014 won en route to victory on the first Tuesday in November at Flemington. Finishing second in the G2 Prix Maurice de Nieuil (2800m) on July 14 behind Talismanic (GB) (Medaglia d'Oro) adds another layer on confidence, with that winner capturing the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Turf at Del Mar on Saturday.
Over six lengths behind Marmelo in the Kergorlay was fellow Melbourne Cup competitor Red Cardinal (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), who had won the G3 Belmont Gold Cup over 3219m on June 9 the start prior and must rate as a top-10 chance.
Surprisingly beaten into fourth in the G3 Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on Oct. 7 behind Amelie's Star (Aus) (Testa Rossa {Aus}) when the short-priced favourite, last year's G1 Melbourne Cup winner Almandin (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) would be the leading chance for part owners Lloyd and Nick Williams and deserves his place towards the top of the betting. With Frankie Dettori taking the ride on the 8-year-old, who is himself looking for his first win in the race, Almandin looks the best option to give Williams his sixth win in the race as an owner, and join five other previous multiple winners of the race.
Fifth in the Caulfield Cup, where trainer Darren Weir highlighted his unhappiness with the ride, before a nail-biting second to Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) in the G1 Cox Plate (2040m) on Oct. 28, Humidor (NZ) (Teofilo {Ire}) has not won past 2000m, but his last start effort has him right up in the market.
Victory at four of his last five starts, including twice over Talismanic, the Alain Couetil-trained Tiberian (Fr) (Tiberius Caesar {Fr}) would give part-owners Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock the thrill of a life time, having gone down narrowly twelve months earlier when Almandin defeated their runner Heartbreak City (Fr) (Lando {Ger}) by the barest of margins.
With a big query over his head at the 3200m, the Aidan O'Brien-trained Johannes Vermeer (Ire) {Galileo {Ire}) has proven that he has acclimatised extremely well, finishing an unlucky second in the G1 Caulfield S. (2000m) behind Gailo Chop (Fr) (Deportivo {GB}) first-up, before once again having to weave through late for third in the Caulfield Cup.
Set to carry just 53kgs, the Hugo Palmer-trained, Craig Williams-ridden Wall Of Fire (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) produced an outstanding effort in his Australian debut, finishing a length second in the G2 Herbert Power (2400m) on Oct. 14 behind Lord Fandango (Ger) (Lord Of England {Ger}), with that winner taking fourth in the G1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) at his next start. Dropping 5kgs from his Herbert Power run, Wall Of Fire has failed at his two starts over 3200m, which is of some concern, but appears to be heading into the race in the right form and can't be discounted at the weights.
One of only three Australian-bred runners in the race, tough as teak mare Single Gaze (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) has always had the race as her main aim. Good enough as a 2-year-old to race in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and the Golden Slipper before Group 1 victory at three, the Nick Olive-trained mare finished second in the Caulfield Cup and as the distances have increased throughout her campaign she has improved every step of the way.
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