Williams Back in 2010 Melbourne Cup after Wins from Zipping & C’est La Guerre

October 4, 2010

Williams Back in 2010 Melbourne Cup after Wins from Zipping & C’est La Guerre

Prominent racehorse owner Lloyd Williams is right back in the race to win the 2010 Melbourne Cup after his underrated hopefuls Zipping and C’est La Guerre each won at Group level over the weekend.

His veteran nine-year-old Zipping claimed an upset win in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Sunday while six-year-old C’est La Guerre broke a two and a half year drought winning the Group 3 Craven Plate (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Danehill gelding Zipping was a $17 chance to win yesterday, but a beautiful ride by jockey Nicholas Hall saw the 2008 Turnbull Stakes third placegetter go two better and snare victory over a field full of spring stars including runner-up Shocking ($5.50) and odds-on favourite Shoot Out ($3.70) in third.

Williams has spent an estimated $20 million assembling a contingent of imported gallopers from around the globe in his bid to win the 150th Emirates Melbourne Cup on Tuesday November 2, including Alandi who recently dropped out of Cup contention after failed runs in Australia being sent back to Europe.

But it looks as if his underrated locally-bred gelding Zipping, now a dual Group 1 winner, could be his best chance to win the $6 million Melbourne Cup having shortened into $21 in the Melbourne Cup betting at Sportsbet.

Favourite to win is still Shocking now at $9 after finishing a mere neck away from Zipping in the Turnbull, his unbeaten record at Flemington dashed.

Zipping is being targeted for the 2010 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on October 23 before seeking his fourth consecutive win in the Group 2 Sandown Classic on November 13.

However, after Sunday’s hard-fought win the Melbourne Cup is still in the mix.

C’est La Guerre Earns 2010 Melbourne Cup Bid

Another underestimated horse owned by Williams that is also right back in Melbourne Cup contention is C’est La Guerre.

The Shinko King gelding finished third in the 2008 Melbourne Cup but had not won a race for 31 months.

The losing sequence was broken on Saturday, however, when C’est La Guerre ($8) and jockey Michael Rodd combined for a tactical one and a half length win over Peter Snowden’s Purple ($2.90) with $2.75 favourite Triple Honour a mere nose away third.

C’est La Guerre is now a $26 chance to win the 2010 Melbourne Cup at Sportsbet.

Williams plans to follow a similar preparation with C’est La Guerre as the horse was kept on in the lead-up to his 2008 Melbourne Cup campaign, keeping him away from Group 1 company and not racing him over 2000m until Cup Day.

“Ce’st La Guerre might go to a race like the Coogny as when he ran third in the Melbourne Cup, he didn’t have a run beyond 2000 metres in the lead-up and we’ll do the same this year,” Williams said.

Second declarations for the 2010 Melbourne Cup will be taken tomorrow with the betting markets sure to heat up as the list of horses vying for a spot in the 24-horse Melbourne Cup field is further shortened.

To get in early and get the best odds on your Melbourne Cup favourites, visit [sportsbet] today and if you are new to sign up you will be rewarded with a free $300 bet!

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapat...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: L...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse extended her record to eight victories in the 2024...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winne...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Veight joined an elite list of three-year-olds to beat home the older horses...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results:...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Chris Waller’s VRC Derby winner from the spring, Riff Rocket, now has the...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Vi...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Via Sistina Too Good Debuting for Waller

Yu Long Investments lucrative European purchase, the now Chris Waller-trained...

Race Results

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapateo Upsets Sunshine In Paris

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Imperatriz Defends Title in 2024 William Reid Stakes

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Race Previews

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off

Fields & Form

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off