Lloyd Williams, owner of current Melbourne Cup favourite Efficient, has offered the Melbourne Cup ride on the grey gelding to prominent territory jockey Steven Arnold.
Despite rumours that the ride would be given to Williams’ godson Nick Hall, Williams has confirmed Arnold has the ride if he chooses to accept.
Speculation began after Hall was aboard the 2007 Cup winner earlier in the month, when the duo claimed victory in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.
Arnold rode the Williams-owned C’est La Guerre in the Turnbull, riding up against Hall and Efficient, finishing an unimposing 10th.
Hall will be given a ride on another Williams’ runner in the Melbourne Cup on November 3. Arnold, who has done all the work on Efficient over the last six months, will be hoping for more luck this year after a string of ill-fated Cup stories.
He was booked in to ride the grey stayer two years ago, but was switched to stablemate Gallic. Gallic was scratched on the morning of the Cup, while Efficient soared to victory.
Last year Arnold, again, was all set to ride Efficient at Flemington, but plans went amiss as Efficient suffered an injury, forcing him out of the race.
But this year is looking hopeful. With Efficient in excellent form and performing well in his preparation races, this might just be the year for Arnold to make Melbourne Cup history.
In other news the Caulfield Cup barrier draw will take place today at 11am, just prior to the running of the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield.
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