Lloyd ticks off Order Of St George Melbourne Cup weight

Brad Waters - Wednesday September 13

Five-time Melbourne Cup-winning owner Lloyd Williams says there are only two obstacles standing in front of Order Of St George and a trip to Australia for the Melbourne Cup.

Lloyd Williams says Order Of St George has a "very fair weight" for the Melbourne Cup. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Order Of St George topped the Melbourne Cup weights with 58kg, a handicap Williams told the Herald-Sun was "very fair".

However, Williams, who also owns last year's Melbourne Cup winner Almandin (56.5kg), said the "tracks (are) a problem here" while the travel time to Australia would also be considered.

The Macedon Lodge boss said another crack at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in France in October was an alternative for the son of Galileo, who ran third in France's showpiece race last year.

"He needs good to soft," Williams said.

"Obviously I would love to run him. The Melbourne Cup to me is everything that racing stands for in Australia — our only international event.

"But Aidan needs to select his best chance (based on) tracks and travel. The Arc (is) one hour away (with the) chance of rain. The Cup is 30-plus hours."

Sportsbet has Order Of St George as a $15 second pick behind Almandin at $13 in Sportsbet's latest Melbourne Cup market.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.