- Lloyd Williams is a Melbourne Cup success story
- Has run his practised eye over this year’s field
Seven-time Melbourne Cup-winning owner Lloyd Williams has delivered his verdict on who will win this year’s great race – and the highly fancied horse he has his doubts about.
A member of the Australian Racing Hall of Fame and one of the industry’s most influential figures, Williams doesn’t speak publicly all that often, but when he does, people tend to listen.
This year he’s tipping Vauban to storm to victory and redeem himself after a disappointing race in 2023.
‘I am very confident about [trainer] Willie Mullins winning with Vauban,’ Williams told Racenet.
‘I think this horse has been perfectly prepared for the race this year and I think the trainer is a master trainer.
‘Vauban has come out to Australia later this year, on the second shipment, so they are not here so long and that will help enormously.
‘The jockey [William Buick] rode a winner at the Breeders’ Cup meeting in the US, so he is in form which is very helpful.’
Williams isn’t the only expert who fancies Vauban’s chances, with Melbourne Cup ambassador Francesca Cumani also tipping the Irish stayer.
Seven-time Melbourne Cup-winning owner Lloyd Williams (pictured) is tipping Vauban to take out the race that stops a nation
Vauban (pictured) was a favourite last year but finished in the back half of the field
Williams also predicted that Caulfield Cup runner-up and Melbourne Cup favourite Buckaroo might struggle over 3200m. He instead prefers stablemate Land Legend’s chances.
‘The wide barrier will help Land Legend, because he won’t pull in the run from out there and Zac Purton will be able to let him stride down the straight and get his rhythm,’ Williams said.
‘Chris Waller does some remarkable things, he is a wonderful trainer, I would sing his praises from the highest roof.
‘Buckaroo has proper form, but the form isn’t two mile form.
‘I know this horse very well as Joseph O’Brien had it in Ireland. I’ve known the horse since it was a baby as far as form is concerned.
‘I just really question whether this horse will get two miles.
‘If it happens to win, I will be cheering as owners like Ozzie Kheir and Brae Sokolski deserve it given the amount of money they invest in racing.’
Williams believes Melbourne Cup favourite Buckaroo might struggle over 3200m
Irish master trainer Mullins has brushed off talk of Melbourne Cup redemption while declaring Vauban his best chance of winning the race that stops a nation.
‘As we know, you just don’t arrive and pick up the prize,’ Mullins said.
‘Last year a lot of people had us marked down for that, but I think our horses’ preparations this year have been good.
‘Vauban’s form has been very good all season and he brings great depth of form into the race.
‘Absurde has done nothing wrong and I think he’s a horse that’s maturing all the time in his mind.’
Pressed for the pick of his two runners, Mullins said: ‘Vauban’s form stands out.
