The 2013 Melbourne Cup odds of Lloyd Williams-owned Fawkner continue to tumble and he has been the clear market mover in betting markets for the $6 million Group 1 event.
Fawkner has been one of the best backed runners in 2013 Melbourne Cup betting markets in the past 24 hours. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Despite winning the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) in impressive fashion, Fawkner was available at Melbourne Cup odds of over $30 before the barrier draw but there has been a constant flow of money for the Reset gelding since he drew ideally in in gate eight.
Fawkner has now been backed into a quote of $16 and the support is expected to continue after Lloyd Williams gave the six-year-old a strong push on Racing Ahead yesterday.
Williams said that Fawkner had recovered well from his maiden Group 1 victory just over a fortnight ago and believes that the 2012 Emirates Stakes runner-up will surprise those who question his staying credentials – just like he did in the Caulfield Cup.
“If there is ever a horse that I’ve had that has come on, to my eye, he has,” Williams said.
“It is probably hard to imagine for other people that he will run 3200 metres but I think that he will and I thought that he would win the Caulfield Cup.
“He is by Reset which is close to my heart because we use to race him and he is a half-brother to Tanby who stays pretty well.
“Nick Hall is riding particularly well, I am very confident about Nick, and I would love this horse to win.”
The 2013 Melbourne Cup field is dominated by European-bred horses and Williams has five of his own; with Green Moon, Sea Moon, Masked Marvel, Mourayan and Seville all taking part in ‘the race that stops a nation’.
European-bred horses have won the last three editions of the Melbourne Cup and Williams said that he would love it if Fawkner could record a massive win for the Australian breeding industry.
“I would love an Australian-bred horse that is based in Melbourne to beat all those internationals – even though I have five internationals,” Williams said.
“You could ride him on a piece on cotton; there will be no problems at all.
“He won’t pull, he breathes beautifully and he has all the attributes that I look for in a staying horse.
“He has a turn of foot and has won three times over 1400 metres at Flemington.
“He is a real live chance and I am terribly happy with him.”
Fiorente ($7) remains favourite in Melbourne Cup betting markets, while Mount Athos has drifted out to Melbourne Cup odds of $10.
