Lloyd Williams plays waiting game with European raiders; Michelle Payne’s Cox Plate chance

Lloyd Williams’ hopes of bringing his European-trained stars to Melbourne for the spring carnival will largely hinge on Victoria’s capacity to tame an upsurge in COVID-19 infections.

Lloyd Williams’ ambitions of Melbourne spring carnival glory will largely hinge on Victoria’s capacity to tame an upsurge in COVID-19 infections.

On the same day Victoria recorded a record 725 new coronavirus cases, Williams said stage 4 lockdown restrictions could scuttle Irishman Joseph O’Brien’s plans to campaign several raiders in Australia.

The six-time Melbourne Cup-winning owner said it was “too early to say” if O’Brien would still send the record-breaking owner’s horses to Australia but “travelling now is a greater consideration than it was 72 hours ago”.

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Lloyd Williams’ spring hopes are up in the air. Picture: Getty Images

“Melbourne next few weeks will have a bearing on the future,” Williams said in an email to the Herald Sun. “If there was any concern for staff travelling, I would not allow my group of horses to come – health paramount.”

O’Brien has entered five horses in the $5 million centenary Cox Plate on October 24 for Williams – Buckhurst, Degraves, Pondus, Master Of Reality and Twilight Payment.

The most successful owner in Melbourne Cup history, Williams is expected to have several runners in this year’s race, including Adelaide Cup winner King Of Leogrance.

Racing Australia has applied to the Federal government for exemptions from current travel restrictions for foreigners so strappers and track riders can accompany northern hemisphere horses to Werribee.

While Godolphin’s Saeed bin Suroor and Charlie Appleby will bypass the carnival because of COVID-19 concerns, several Australian owners are keen to fly gallopers to Australia as part of a 16-horse shipment.

If exemptions aren’t granted by the government, the horses can still be flown to Australia but would need to be transferred – permanently or temporarily – into an Australian-based trainer.

Trainer Joseph O’Brien has entered five horses in the Cox Plate for Lloyd Williams, but COVID-19 restrictions could scuttle their plans. Picture: AAP

Williams is considering using Macedon Lodge, which was on the brink of being sold before the onset of COVID1-9, in preparation for the carnival.

With some of his potential Cup horses heading towards the Irish St Leger, Williams is hoping for a seventh Cup on November 3.

“Obviously, I am very keen on the Melbourne Carnival – (I’m) probably the oldest/longest participant back to 1960s – it is number one on my agenda,” he said.

“Racing in Melbourne has been a very large part of my life.

“The future is in the hands of the Good Lord.”

PAYNE GOES VIA CAPE FOR COX PLATE CHANCE

Melbourne Cup winner Michelle Payne hopes imported galloper Cape Victory can help her to realise another dream and ride in the Cox Plate.

Payne came close in 2017 when international Kaspersky made the field to tackle the legend Winx only to be scratched on race morning.

“I’ve had three rides that have been scratched either the night before or the morning of the Cox Plate,” Payne said.

“It’s absolutely my favourite race, obviously apart from the Melbourne Cup, the Cox Plate is a really special race and I haven’t had a chance to ride in it.

“To be able to ride one of my own would be unbelievable and a dream come true.”

Cape Victory arrived at the Ballarat stable at the start of the year.

The Michelle Payne story is far from finished.

The northern hemisphere four year-old was bought by one Payne’s big supporters, First Light Racing, with a view to target the spring majors.

“He took a bit to acclimatise to the southern hemisphere but really, really nice horse,” Payne said.

“Showed really good ability and showed us he’s a very nice horse so we have put the nomination in.”

Lightly-raced Cape Victory had eight starts in England for two wins, including an eight-length romp over 1799m, four seconds and a third.

The son of Dawn Approach will make his Australian debut at Sandown next Wednesday.

Michelle Payne, flanked by strapper and brother Steven Payne, after Prince Of Penzance won the 2015 Melbourne Cup.

“It will be short (of his best distance) but it will be good to kick him off and see him out on the track,” Payne said.

“He’s a real character, very lazy, unbelievable lazy in his track work, doesn’t give you an amazing feel because he just does what he has to but you can feel he definitely has got a big engine in there.

“Really looking forward to seeing what we have on our hands.”

MORE RACING

JOCKEYS STOOD DOWN IN MAJOR COVID-19 SCARE

PAYNE’S COX PLATE FAIRYTALE ENDS ON RACE MORNING

LADBROKES COX PLATE

3YO & Up. Weight for Age No Claims. Group 1.

2040m $5,250,000

 1 Achiever (Chris Waller)

 2 Age Of Chivalry (NZ) (Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra)

 3 Ain’tnodeeldun (Anthony & Sam Freedman)

 4 Akaka Falls (Lloyd Kennewell)

 5 Aktau (GB) (Michael Moroney)

 6 Albarado (NZ) (Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young)

 7 Alcyone (James Cummings)

 8 Alligator Blood (David Vandyke)

 9 Almania (IRE) (Kris Lees)

10 Amish Boy (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace)

11 Angel of Truth (Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes)

12 Arcadia Queen (Grant & Alana Williams)

13 Aristia (Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra)

14 Armory (IRE) (Aidan O’Brien)

15 Aspetar (FR) (Roger Charlton)

16 Avantage (Jamie Richards)

17 Avilius (GB) (James Cummings)

18 Away Game (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace)

19 Aysar (Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes)

20 Behemoth (David Jolly)

21 Blaze A Trail (Matthew Vella)

22 Bolleville (IRE) (Joseph O’Brien)

23 Brandenburg (NZ) (John Sargent)

24 Buckhurst (IRE) (Joseph O’Brien)

25 Buffalo River (USA) (Michael Moroney)

26 Cape Of Good Hope (IRE) (Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes)

27 Cape Victory (IRE) (Michelle Payne)

28 Caribbean Stud (Anthony Cummings)

29 Cascadian (GB) (James Cummings)

30 Chief Ironside (GB) (Kris Lees)

31 Chuck A Luck (NZ) (Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young)

32 Circus Maximus (IRE) (Aidan O’Brien)

33 Clinched (Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young)

34 Colette (James Cummings)

35 Collide (GB) (Kris Lees)

36 Con Te Partiro (USA) (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott)

37 Crack On Crack On (GB) (Gary Moore)

38 Crossfirehurricane (USA) (Joseph O’Brien)

39 Dadoozdart (GB) (Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes)

40 Dalasan (Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas)

41 Danceteria (FR) (Kris Lees)

42 Degraves (IRE) (Joseph O’Brien)

43 Django Freeman (GER) (Robert Hickmott)

44 Dr Drill (GB) (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace)

45 Dragon Leap (Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott)

46 Dreamforce (John Thompson)

47 Ennistymon (IRE) (Aidan O’Brien)

48 Exasperate (Matthew Brown)

49 Exhibition (Richard & Michael Freedman)

50 Fancy Blue (IRE) (Donnacha O’Brien)

51 Farnan (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott)

52 Fidelia (Robbie Griffiths)

53 Fierce Impact (JPN) (Matthew Smith)

54 Fifty Stars (IRE) (Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes)

55 Finche (GB) (Chris Waller)

56 Flying Award (Danny O’Brien)

57 Funstar (Chris Waller)

58 Gailo Chop (FR) (Matthew Williams)

59 Gamay (Archie Alexander)

60 Game Keeper (Tony & Calvin McEvoy)

Game Keeper could be a surprise packet this spring.

61 Gatting (Peter G Moody)

62 Giovanna Run (Chris Waller)

63 Glenfiddich (Peter G Moody)

64 Global Quest (Chris Waller)

65 Gold Bracelet (NZ) (Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr))

66 Grandslam (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace)

67 Greysful Glamour (Mark Newnham)

68 Gunnamatta (Richard & Michael Freedman)

69 Harbour Views (FR) (Matthew Williams)

70 Harlech (NZ) (Michael Moroney)

71 Harlem (GB) (Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes)

72 Holyfield (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace)

73 Homesman (USA) (Anthony & Sam Freedman)

74 Humidor (NZ) (Chris Waller)

75 Hungry Heart (Chris Waller)

76 Imaging (GB) (Chris Waller)

77 Impecunious (NZ) (Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young)

78 Inverloch (IRE) (Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young)

79 Japan (GB) (Aidan O’Brien)

80 Jennifer Eccles (NZ) (Shaune Ritchie)

81 Jet Propulsion (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace)

82 Kameko (USA) (Andrew Balding)

83 Kazuhiko (Lloyd Kennewell)

84 Kentucky Breeze (Levi Kavanagh)

85 Kenya (IRE) (Anthony & Sam Freedman)

86 Kinane (NZ) (Chris Waller)

87 King Of Leogrance (FR) (Danny O’Brien)

88 King’s Legacy (Peter & Paul Snowden)

89 Kings Will Dream (IRE) (Chris Waller)

90 Kingsheir (GB) (Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes)

91 Kolding (NZ) (Chris Waller)

92 Le Don De Vie (GB) (Hughie Morrison)

93 Le Romain (Kris Lees)

94 Levendi (Peter Gelagotis)

95 Look Sharpish (NZ) (Leon & Troy Corstens)

96 Love Tap (Richard & Michael Freedman)

97 Loving Gaby (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace)

98 Lunar Fox (Paul Preusker)

99 Magic Wand (IRE) (Aidan O’Brien)

Magic Wand wins last year’s Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington.

100 Magical (IRE) (Aidan O’Brien)

101 Mahamedeis (Nick Ryan)

102 Mamaragan (John Thompson)

103 Mandela Effect (Scott Brunton)

104 Mantastic (IRE) (Chris Waller)

105 Master Of Reality (IRE) (Joseph O’Brien)

106 Master Of Wine (GER) (Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes)

107 Melody Belle (NZ) (Jamie Richards)

108 Miami Bound (NZ) (Danny O’Brien)

109 Mirage Dancer (GB) (Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young)

110 Miss Fabulass (Kris Lees)

111 Miss Siska (Matthew Smith)

112 Mogul (GB) (Aidan O’Brien)

113 Montia (Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes)

114 Moonlight Maid (Mitchell Freedman)

115 Mr Quickie (Phillip Stokes)

116 Mr Satchmo (FR) (Antoine de Watrigant)

117 Mugatoo (IRE) (Kris Lees)

118 Munitions (USA) (James Cummings)

119 Mustajeer (GB) (Kris Lees)

120 Mystic Journey (Adam Trinder)

121 Mythical (FR) (Aidan O’Brien)

122 Nancho (GER) (Anthony Cummings)

123 Nettoyer (Wendy Roche)

124 Nonconformist (Grahame Begg)

125 North Pacific (Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes)

126 Oceanex (NZ) (Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr))

127 Opacity (NZ) (John O’Shea)

128 Order Of Australia (IRE) (Aidan O’Brien)

129 Orderofthegarter (IRE) (Danny O’Brien)

130 Patrick Sarsfield (FR) (Joseph O’Brien)

131 Peaceful (IRE) (Aidan O’Brien)

132 Personal (Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes)

133 Plumatic (GB) (Francis-Henri Graffard)

134 Pondus (GB) (Joseph O’Brien)

135 Prague (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace)

136 Princess Jenni (NZ) (David Brideoake)

137 Prise de Fer (NZ) (Jamie Richards)

138 Private Weapon (Anthony Cummings)

139 Probabeel (NZ) (Jamie Richards)

140 Quick Thinker (Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman)

141 Regal Power (Grant & Alana Williams)

142 Reloaded (Chris Waller)

143 Riodini (NZ) (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott)

144 Rock (Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes)

145 Russian Camelot (IRE) (Danny O’Brien)

Russian Camelot takes out the South Australian Derby at Morphettville in May.

146 Sauvestre (Chris Waller)

147 Savannah Cloud (NZ) (Phillip Stokes)

148 Shared Ambition (IRE) (Chris Waller)

149 Shout The Bar (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott)

150 Showmanship (NZ) (Grant & Alana Williams)

151 Sir Dragonet (IRE) (Aidan O’Brien)

152 Sircconi (Nick Ryan)

153 Sixties Groove (IRE) (Kris Lees)

154 So Si Bon (Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes)

155 Still A Star (Bill Ryan)

156 Street Dancer (Anthony Cummings)

157 Supergiant (NZ) (Michael Costa)

158 Superstorm (Grant & Alana Williams)

159 Surprise Baby (NZ) (Paul Preusker)

160 Tadashi Hamada (Shea Eden)

161 Tagaloa (Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young)

162 Tarwin (Michael Kent)

163 Tavirun (NZ) (Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young)

164 The Candy Man (Barry Baldwin)

165 The Chosen One (NZ) (Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman)

166 The Velvet King (Peter G Moody)

167 Think It Over (Kerry Parker)

168 Tiger Moth (IRE) (Aidan O’Brien)

169 Toffee Tongue (NZ) (Chris Waller)

170 True Self (IRE) (William Mullins)

171 Twilight Payment (IRE) (Joseph O’Brien)

172 Unanimous (Ciaron Maher & David Eustace)

173 Vanna Girl (Toby & Trent Edmonds)

174 Vatican City (IRE) (Aidan O’Brien)

175 Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Chris Waller)

176 Vow And Declare (Danny O’Brien)

177 Weekender (GB) (Mark Newnham)

178 Windstorm (Grant & Alana Williams)

179 Yangtze Rapids (Chris Waller)

180 Yardstick (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott)

181 Yosemite (NZ) (Robbie Griffiths)

182 Zebrowski (NZ) (Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes)

TOTAL ENTRIES: 182 (28 Overseas)

2019 TOTAL ENTRIES: 187 (27 Overseas)

2018 TOTAL ENTRIES: 135 (26 Overseas)

2017 TOTAL ENTRIES: 141 (15 Overseas)

Originally published as Lloyd Williams plays waiting game with European raiders; Michelle Payne’s Cox Plate chance