Almandin Delivers Record in Melbourne Cup Win

Lloyd Williams celebrated a record-setting fifth Melbourne Cup (Aus-I) victory as an owner Nov. 1 when his German-bred runner Almandin won the 156th running of the race that stops a nation with a heart-pounding finish over Heartbreak City.

The 6-year-old son of Monsun—Anatola, by Tiger Hill, also delivered the second Melbourne Cup victory to jockey Kerrin McEvoy, who had won his first in 2000 aboard Brew, and a second Cup for trainer Robert Hickmott, who saddled winner Green Moon in 2012.

Winning the Melbourne Cup is a longtime tradition for Williams, 76, who was a board member of the Victoria Racing Club in the 1990s, but his passion for the race has extended far beyond a desire to win it, according to Racing.com.

Williams played a key role in opening the 3,200-meter race to the world and transforming the Melbourne Cup into the richest staying handicap. In 1990 the Victoria Racing Club was paying to get TV coverage and now the event creates an economic impact of $400 million to Victoria, reported Racing.com. 

Almandin, bred by Gestut Schlenderhan, attracted several new owners after qualifying for the Melbourne Cup by winning the Bart Cummings Stakes (Aus-III) at Flemington Oct. 2. The ownership group includes Williams' son, Nick; Brian Singer, co-founder of Rip Curl; Alan Green, founder of Quicksilver; Phil Mehrten, director of Pro-build Constructions; legendary music figure Michael Gudinski; and, John Ingham, who is the son of one of Williams' close friends, Bob Ingham.

Settling into stride the first time past the Flemington grandstand, the 24-horse field was led by Excess Knowledge and Curren Mirotic into the first turn. Secret Number would take the lead down the backstretch ahead of Excess Knowledge, while the winner bided his time about 10 lengths back.

Coming out of the second turn, eight horses lined up across the head of the stretch with Almandin swung into mid-course with 400 meters remaining. He immediately hooked up with Heartbreak City to his inside. With each 100 meters cleared, Heartbreak City looked to have the heart and stamina needed to keep his advantage. With only 100 meters left, Almandin caught his rival who responded by putting a head back in front. Almandin, however, won the war of wills and kicked to the wire, winning by a head. The final time was 3:20.58.

Godolphin's Hartnell, the 9/2 favorite, was third by 4 1/4 lengths. The homebred by Authorized (IRE) was one of three Goldolphin had entered, which included fourth-placed Qewy and Oceanographer, who came in 12th.

Godolphin's John Ferguson told Racing Post: "Oceanographer was flat after his run on Saturday, backing him up didn't work. We're absolutely thrilled with Hartnell and with Qewy, too. Qewy has come a long way from when I had him.

"It's a great result, we're delighted and we've had a great campaign here. It's confirmed what we believed we could achieve down here, we've learned a hell of a lot and we will be back," he said.