GODOLPHIN’S FIGHT GOES ON
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid’s quest for an elusive Melbourne Cup goes on for another year after Almandin stormed to victory ahead of Heartbreak City.
Godolphin had five runners in Tuesday’s race at Flemington, with Hartnell and Qewy finishing third and fourth respectively.
Flemington is a racecourse Godolphin has been competing at since 1998, with three runner-up spots representing their best finish.
Qewy and Secret Number showed buckets of talent in the two mile race, but question marks remain over Hartnell’s ability to run over two miles.
The horse is a class act, possessing plenty of pace, but perhaps he could thrive over shorter distance.
The #MelbourneCup remains elusive, but #TeamGodolphin proud and happy with #Hartnell and #Qewy's brave runs https://t.co/JWZKIvM6mc
— Godolphin (@godolphin) 1 November 2016
LLOYD WILLIAMS MAKES HISTORY
It’s been 20 years since Lloyd Williams last stepped out at Flemington, and on Tuesday, he delivered a spectacular press conference following Almandin’s win.
“I’m now 76 years as a Melbournian,” Williams said. “From the age of five, I listened to the Melbourne Cup. It’s always been a part of my life. I’ve dreamed about it since I was a boy.”
Williams is a record five time winner in Melbourne and the most successful owner in the history of this event.
He rarely makes public appearances these days, instead choosing to watch sport at home, where his son Nick is the face of the racing operation.
Kerrin McEvoy and Lloyd Williams.
THE MELBOURNE CUP IS UNIQUE
It’s hard to think of any sporting event in the world where a big city comes to a standstill for a day.
In Victoria, employees receive a public holiday for the Melbourne Cup with most either turning out to Flemington or watching the race live on TV.
The Melbourne Cup is a significant part of Australian culture and it’s a race that draws everyone together. To see how passionate people were about the race proves how important it is, not just to the city, but also to the fans who travel across the country to watch the race that stops the nation.
