Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice receives invite to run in Dubai

Trainer Sheila Laxon will consider an overseas campaign for Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice as she revealed a huge global ambition of her own.

Dual Melbourne Cup-winner Sheila Laxon wants to take on the world with “freak horse” Knight’s Choice.

Basking in her latest Cup glory at Macedon Lodge on Wednesday, Laxon revealed Knight’s Choice has received an invitation for the $18m Dubai World Cup (2000m) in March at Meydan.

“He never expends any energy, he didn’t blow after that race (Melbourne Cup),” Laxon, the first female trainer to win the Melbourne Cup in 2001 with Ethereal, said.

“I’ve never known a horse like him, he’s a freak, and maybe he can go on and create history like Winx did and Phar Lap, who knows?

“The world might be his oyster, I’m really surprised how he’s stepped up and he might just continue to step up.

“We’ll sit down and work out what’s going to be best for him in the long run.

“He’s pulled up really well, really fit and done that on his ear, he’s a freak horse, he really is.”

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Laxon really wants to be the first Australasian trainer to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) in Paris, however, geldings like Knight’s Choice are not eligible for the race.

French racing authorities continue to review conditions for Europe’s most prestigious race.

“The world is your oyster and he’s a young horse,” Laxon said.

“He’s the sort of horse that would travel (well), he went up and down to Sydney twice in one week, and he just loves being on the road.

“We got an invite for Dubai and maybe Hong Kong … we need to sit down and map out what we do with him now.

“He’s stepped right up the ranks (ratings) and it’s going to be harder for him, we thought that after the Winx Guineas it was going to be hard for him to step up to the open classes.

“You got to be really good to compete against open class horses and he’s stepped up there and beyond.”

Sheila Laxon with Knight’s Choice at Macedon Lodge the day after winning the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

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Sunshine Coast-based Laxon, who trains in partnership with husband John Symons, said a Melbourne Cup title defence would also be considered, weight permitting.

“We’ll sit down and work out what’s going to be best for him in the long run,” Laxon said.

“He’s pulled up really well, really fit and he’s done that (Cup win) on his ear, he’s a freak horse, he really is.

“The handicap weight range wasn’t that big this year, so I’m thinking you’re not going to be penalised that badly I wouldn’t think (in the Cup next year).

“If he could go around at 55kg, obviously it would be a consideration.”

Knight’s Choice carried 51.5kg in the Melbourne Cup last Tuesday.

Laxon and Symons planned to retire after the Melbourne Cup but the idea could be shelved – for now.

“Honestly, we were retiring after this Melbourne Cup,” Laxon said.

“We need to take time out and enjoy the quiet life, but I can’t see that happening anymore.”

Originally published as Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice receives invite to run in Dubai