It’s a Mission Of Love: Sheila Laxon’s Melbourne Cup winner wasn’t her top pick

Sheila Laxon has revealed that her Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice hadn’t even been her top stable seed in the big race, and it could pay for punters to listen given that Mission Of Love is racing at Flemington on Saturday.

Melbourne Cup winner Sheila Laxon may have been denied the roughest quinella in Cup history.

She insists it was Mission Of Love, not $91 Cup winner Knight’s Choice, who she felt was her top seed going into Tuesday’s Cup.

It could be an interesting point for punters, considering Mission Of Love is entered to race on Champions Day at Flemington on Saturday as a $23 chance in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2600m.

FIELDS AND FORM FLEMINGTON SATURDAY

Mission Of Love had been set to race as a roughie in the Melbourne Cup before being withdrawn on the advice of vets.

“I must admit I thought she was the one who had more Melbourne Cup ability about her,” Laxon told Racenet.

“I had been actually favouring her to be the more competitive of my horses in the race.

“I thought she was going to be the dark horse of the Melbourne Cup.

“She did beat Knight’s Choice in the Caloundra Cup, albeit it was a heavy track that day.”

Laxon did not want to comment directly on the ruling that saw Mission Of Love withdrawn from the Melbourne Cup, other than to say: “They have got protocols to follow, but I am always quick to find anything wrong with horses.

“They said she was lame behind.”

Mission Of Love with co-trainers John Symons (left) and Sheila Laxon (right). Picture: Grant Peters – Trackside Photography.

Mission Of Love, which was last seen finishing 11th in the Geelong Cup won by Onesmoothoperator, is not among the betting fancies at Flemington on Saturday.

But it would be folly to disregard anything Laxon says, especially after the incredible blowout Melbourne Cup win by long shot Knight’s Choice.

“I think Mission Of Love will be right in it on Saturday, I am thrilled with how she is going,” Laxon said.

“The most important thing with her is that Craig Williams stays back and sits her on the fence behind other horses.

“That’s how she’s got to be ridden.

“I’m a big fan of this mare.

“She is very tough and stoic. She will give it her best.”

It is understood vets have cleared Mission Of Love to take her place at Flemington on Saturday.

Originally published as It’s a Mission Of Love: Sheila Laxon’s Melbourne Cup winner wasn’t her top pick