International races could be on the agenda for Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice
Dual Melbourne Cup winning trainer Sheila Laxon believes Knight’s Choice is capable of being a performer on the world stage.
Knight’s Choice won the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday to give Laxon her second Cup success and her partner John Symons his first.
It was also a first Cup success for former Irish jockey Robbie Dolan.
Laxon, who won the Melbourne Cup in 2001 to become the first female to win the race, said she would love to campaign Knight’s Choice in Europe.
She pointed to Marienbard, who after running seventh to Ethereal came out the following year to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, 11 months after competing at Flemington.
“I like goals,” Laxon said.
“He pulled up so well. He didn’t expend a lot of energy. He didn’t blow after that race. He’s a real athlete and I haven’t known a horse like him.
“Maybe he could go on and have a great history like Phar Lap did.
“The world is his oyster.”
The Arc is unfortunately out of Knight’s Choice’s realm as he is a gelding, while the Japan Cup this year is also out due to the Cup winner not being inoculated.
But an email did arrive to Laxon and Symons from the Dubai Racing Club pointing out the Dubai Gold Cup (3200m) on April 5.
That is around the same time Symons and Laxon would be contemplating competing in Sydney, although the weather will have a bearing as the pair labelled Knight’s Choice a wet track ‘duffer’.
And Brisbane in winter can also be wet, something Symons is well aware of.
With much to contemplate, the Melbourne Cup in 12 months’ time could be the arena for Knight’s Choice to return for a second shot at.
Having won with 51.5kg on Tuesday, Laxon said he should not be too harshly treated next year with the compressed spread of weights in this year’s Cup success.
“The handicap range wasn’t that big this year, so I’m thinking he might not be penalised that badly next year,” Laxon said.
“That’s the handicap system they’re using now, so if he had around the 55 kilos, it would obviously be a consideration.”
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