- Lloyd Williams is a Melbourne Cup success story
- He has scanned this year’s field with his expert eye.
Seven-time Melbourne Cup winner Lloyd Williams has given his verdict on who will win this year’s big race and which highly regarded horse he has his doubts about.
Williams, a member of the Australian Racing Hall of Fame and one of the industry’s most influential figures, doesn’t speak publicly very often, but when he does, people tend to listen.
This year, expect Vauban to take the win and redeem himself after a disappointing run in 2023.
“I have a lot of confidence in (trainer) Willie Mullins to win under Vauban,” Williams said. Racenet.
‘I think this horse has been perfectly prepared for this year’s race and I think the trainer is a master trainer.
‘Vauban arrived in Australia at the end of this year, in the second shipment, so they won’t be here for as long and that will be a big help.
“The jockey (William Buick) rode a winner at the Breeders’ Cup meeting in the US, so he’s fit, which is a big help.”
Williams is not the only pundit to fancy Vauban’s chances, with Melbourne Cup ambassador Francesca Cumani also giving hints to the Irishman staying.
Seven-time Melbourne Cup-winning owner Lloyd Williams (pictured) is tipping Vauban to eliminate the race that stops a nation.
Vauban (pictured) was favorite last year but finished in the back half of the field.
Williams also predicted Caulfield Cup runner-up and Melbourne Cup favorite Buckaroo could struggle over 3200m. Instead, he prefers the possibilities of his companion Land Legend.
“The wide barrier will help Land Legend because he won’t slow down the race from there and Zac Purton will be able to let him go down the straight and get his rhythm going,” Williams said.
“Chris Waller does some remarkable things, he is a wonderful coach, I would sing his praises from the highest roof.
‘Buckaroo has the right form, but the form is not the two-mile form.
‘I know this horse very well because Joseph O’Brien had him in Ireland. I’ve known the horse since he was a baby as far as form goes.
‘I really wonder if this horse will go two miles.
“If he wins, I’ll applaud him because owners like Ozzie Kheir and Brae Sokolski deserve it given the amount of money they put into racing.”
Williams believes Melbourne Cup favorite Buckaroo could struggle in the 3200m
Irish coach Mullins has played down rumors of Melbourne Cup redemption and declared Vauban his best chance of winning the race that stops a nation.
“As we know, you don’t just show up and pick up the prize,” Mullins said.
‘Last year a lot of people downgraded us for that, but I think the preparation of our horses this year has been good.
‘Vauban’s form has been very good all season and he brings great depth to the race.
“Absurde hasn’t done anything wrong and I think he’s a horse that’s maturing all the time in his mind.”
When pressed to pick his two runners, Mullins said: “Vauban’s form stands out.”