High profile owner Lloyd Williams has confirmed that Cox Plate runner up Fawkner will take his place in the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday week.
Cox Plate runner up Fawkner is set to take his place in the Melbourne Cup. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Fawkner ran a gallant second to Irish galloper Adelaide in the Group 1 $3m Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley last Saturday and Williams has reported that the grey gelding has pulled up in great order.
“He ran terrific in the Cox Plate and has pulled up good,” Williams told the Herald Sun.
“He’s in perfect condition and the Cup has always been a target. He ran well in it last year, so we are looking forward to it.”
After winning last year’s Group 1 $2.5m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield, Fawkner went on to run a respectable sixth behind Fiorente in the Melbourne Cup and Williams is keen is give him another chance in the Race That Stops The Nation.
Fawkner’s form this Spring has been first class and prior to going down to the Aidan O’Brien trained Adelaide in the Cox Plate, he ran a first up second to Dissident in the Group 1 $400,000 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 13 followed by a win in the Group 1 $400,000 Cathay Pacific Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 11.
Williams is no stranger to Melbourne Cup success and has been involved in the ownership of winners of the mighty race on four occasions with Just A Dash (1981), What A Nuisance (1985), Efficient (2007) and Green Moon (2012).
As well as Fawkner, Williams will also run 2012 winner Green Moon and English import Sea Moon in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.
Green Moon ran his best race this campaign last start when beaten just over two and a half lengths when ninth to the Japanese stayer Admire Rakti in the Group 1 $3m Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 18.
While Sea Moon faded to finish last of the eighteen Caulfield Cup runners after setting the pace in the early and middle stages.
In the latest Melbourne Cup market order with Ladbrokes.com.au Fawkner is listed as one of the top chances at $9 while Green Moon at $67 and Sea Moon at $101 are among the outsiders of the field.
Caulfield Cup winner Admire Rakti remains at the top of the betting at $4.80 ahead of the German visitor Protectionist at $6.50 and Lucia Valentina at $7.50.
