Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice thriving at Macedon Lodge as All-Star Mile bid ramps up

While realistic about his All-Star Mile prospects, trainer Sheila Laxon couldn’t be happier with Knight’s Choice and it wouldn’t surprise her if the Melbourne Cup winner produces another miracle.

Sheila Laxon says Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice is enjoying himself at Macedon Lodge ahead of his return in the All-Star Mile next week. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Dual Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Sheila Laxon will ramp up Knight’s Choice’s All-Star Mile-Australian Cup preparation on Thursday with a gallop at Macedon Lodge.

The Sunshine Coast-based Cup trailblazer, who trains in partnership with husband John Symons, arrived back in Melbourne last Saturday with Knight’s Choice.

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Knight’s Choice sealed a fairytale Cup triumph at Flemington last year as a $91 outsider.

The five-year-old has once again thrived in the short time back at Macedon.

“He seems to grow another inch or two when he arrives here,” Laxon said.

“He’s quite cock-a-hoop being back here, very full of himself.

“He’ll gallop on Thursday, just run up (the hill) a little bit, but he looks ready to go.”

Laxon is optimistic but also realistic about the All-Star Mile, “a stepping stone” to the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 29.

Champion Mr Brightside is favourite for the All-Star Mile from Another Wil and Tom Kitten.

“Obviously he’s against top-class milers, but I think he’ll go very well indeed,” Laxon said.

“He’s extremely well within himself, so who knows, miracles do happen.”

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Knight’s Choice is a $51 outsider for the All-Star Mile at Flemington on March 8.

“We couldn’t be happier with where he’s at and he’s really strutting around like a peacock,” Laxon said.

“Fresh up he’ll make a presence but I can’t think he’ll be able to compete against a horse like Mr Brightside, he’s phenomenal.”

Knight’s Choice has been trained for 1600m/2000m targets. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Laxon has adjusted the work – shorter and sharper gallops – to ready Knight’s Choice for 1600m and 2000m targets as opposed to the 3200m Cup program.

“We still use the hill (at Macedon) but not the length of work we were doing,” Laxon said.

“(Track rider) Ellie (Morrison) was riding him for up to an hour when we were getting close to the Melbourne Cup.

“He did a lot of mileage then, we won’t be doing that now.”

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While unable to comment directly on an ongoing legal dispute with Racing Victoria over the payment of Cup prizemoney lastyear, Laxon said “correct bank account details” had been supplied to the regulator.

RV paid the trainers’ cut ($464,640) of Cup prizemoney into what turned out to be an old account, still registered to Laxon and Symons, which they no longer had access to.

“Our solicitor will make sure we’ve put our correct bank account details now,” Laxon said.

Legal proceeding aside, Laxon has embraced the “magical” journey since winning her second Cup.

Laxon trained the mighty mare Ethereal to complete a historic 2001 Cups double.

“It’s been absolutely magical, the whole journey,” Laxon said.

“Everywhere we go … it’s really been embraced.

“The public has thoroughly enjoyed having the Cup with them at different functions.”