Point King wins Archer Stakes to secure Melbourne Cup berth for Lloyd Williams and James Packer

The Williams and Parker names will feature again in the Melbourne Cup after Point King won his way into the race in the Archer Stakes at Flemington.

Point King and Jamie Kah (inside) hold off Hit The Road Jack to take out the Archer Stakes at Flemington. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

The names Williams and Packer will again loom over the Melbourne Cup after Saturday’s Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m).

Lloyd Williams and the late Kerry Packer pulled off many a plunge in partnership in the 1980s and 1990s, including a $5m haul on Might And Power in the 1997 Melbourne Cup and a $10m win on Jezabeel’s Cup a year later.

Williams and Packer also owned several star gallopers together, including the dual Derby winner Mahogany, who later won two Lightning Stakes as a high-class sprinter, and the Golden Slipper winner Merlene.

Williams and Packer’s son James had two chances of securing a Melbourne Cup berth in Saturday’s Archer Stakes, run six weeks earlier than its previous Derby Day slot for the first time.

The pair had the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Post Impressionist and Point King in the Archer Stakes but it was the latter that won his way into the 24-strong Melbourne Cup field with Jamie Kah in the saddle.

Point King had impressively scored at The Valley at his first run for the Freedman camp but had to dig deep in the last 150m to stave off the determined Hit The Road Jack, who had been beaten in hurdle races at his previous two starts.

Point King with a gritty win securing a spot in the Lexus Melbourne Cup! 👑@[e-mail]/puMg2j4UvV

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 14, 2024

Despite Point King’s narrow success, TAB trimmed his Melbourne Cup quote from $51 to $21 while the import firmed from $21 to $18 in Caulfield Cup betting.

Kah said Point King still had plenty of mental improvement left in him after posting his fifth win from 11 starts.

“He’s a real thinker, this horse and I think with horses in front of him to chase down it really sparks him up,” Kah said.

“He’s got the class. He’s a very classy animal.

“When he gets around these horses it really sparks him up. He’s got all the talent in the world but he’s a real thinker.

“Once he sorts his brain out he’ll be right in the race.”

BELLE TOLLS IN LET’S ELOPE

Smart mare Grinzinger Belle shocked trainer Danny O’Brien with the ease of her win in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes.

Grinzinger Belle and her Let’s Elope Stakes rivals had enough trouble getting to the barriers has hail pelted the Flemington Racecourse as runners headed around the to barriers.

An aggressive ride from jockey Damian Lane propelled Grinzinger Belle to the early lead from her wide gate from where she was never threatened, scoring a soft four-length win.

“She always travelled well in the run but I didn’t think she’d open up and win like that,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien said 1600m was the edge of Grinzinger Belle’s effective distance range but the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes was a possible target on Victoria Derby Day.

Grinzinger Belle with a dominant victory in the trying conditions first up! 💪@[e-mail]/LkalTNZ18X

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 14, 2024

Originally published as Point King wins Archer Stakes to secure Melbourne Cup berth for Lloyd Williams and James Packer