Point King secures 2024 Melbourne Cup start
Owner Lloyd Williams has moved a step closer to winning an eighth Melbourne Cup after Irish-bred galloper Point King earned a start in the great race with a fighting win at Flemington.
Point King took out the Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m) on Saturday to earn a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 5.
The Archer Stakes was run on Saturday having been moved from its traditional place on Victoria Derby Day for those gallopers looking for a late ballot exemption into the Cup.
Ridden by Jamie Kah, Point King ($4.60) scored by a neck from Hit The Road Jack ($19) with the $3.40 favourite Berkshire Breeze a further 1-¼ lengths away third.
Williams’ son Nick said he and his father have had a lot of time for Point King, a six-year-old by Australian time that has raced only 11 times.
“We bought him as a yearling. He’s by Zoffany and that year we bought three Zoffanys,” Williams said.
“A good friend of mine in the northern hemisphere talked us into it as we wouldn’t normally buy Zoffanys.
“I sold one of them and his name is Fawkner Park. Two out of the three have been pretty good and one of them has won a big mile race in Ireland.
“This one is a horse we like. He’s still on the up and he’s lightly raced.
“He put four in-a-row together over there at lower grade and up to Listed level and any horse that wins four in-a-row at any level is a good horse.”
Point King started his career with Joseph O’Brien in Ireland and on arrival in Australia had a stint with Kris Lees in Newcastle.
The gelding also spent time with Darren Weir before making his way to current trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman.
As to Point King’s further program towards the Melbourne Cup, Williams said that would be something sorted out by his father and the Freedman father-and-son training operation.
Kah is unbeaten on Point King in two rides having scored on the gelding at Moonee Valley last month.
“He’s a very classy animal,” Kah said.
“When he gets around these horses it really sparks him up.
“He’s got all the talent in the world but he’s a real thinker and once he sorts his brain out, he’ll be right in the race.”
More Racing News
Fitness test awaits Campaldino for Sydney Cup entry
Prospective Sydney Cup runner Campaldino requires clearance from a fitness assessment to join the two-mile event at Randwick, after routine vet checks detected cardiac arrhythmia.Co-trainer Adrian Bott mentioned the absence of any such concern post his second place in the Chairman's Handicap (2600m) on Saturday, with the gelding showing no...
Sadler targets Black Type with Merrigold at Caulfield
Trainer John Sadler is on track to seek crucial Black Type for the mare Merrigold during Caulfield action.Having claimed victory in a benchmark 84 event at 1400m on Caulfield's track last Saturday, Sadler has his sights on the Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) set for Caulfield this Saturday.Sadler mentioned Merrigold is...
Sydney prizes beckon for Ben Brisbourne after breakthrough Group Two
Ben Brisbourne, fresh from his debut Group Two triumph, shows no signs of slowing down as he pursues more wins in the two-year-old division.From his base in Wangaratta, the trainer intends to run his minimally experienced filly Salann in Saturday's Listed Fernhill Mile (1600m) at Randwick, eyeing a potential tilt...
Sydney Cup next for Melbourne Cup-bound Whisky On The Hill
Whisky On The Hill holds a guaranteed spot in the Melbourne Cup, prompting some to consider steering clear of handicapper pressure by passing on the Sydney Cup.Trainer Glen Thompson chatted about this with the ownership syndicate, but the better decision prevailed over avoiding challenge, so the reliable stayer lines up...
Ipswich hosts Cool Music's next challenge
The holiday racing spotlight falls on Ipswich in Queensland, where trainer Bryan Dais expects Cool Music to advance and reveal the ability he envisions for her future.Carrying 60 kilos in benchmark 58, Cool Music looks set to strike as she moves down from midweek to provincial in Monday's Barrier Reef...
Tempted and Marhoona set to renew rivalry in Arrowfield Sprint
Marhoona and Tempted share a 1-1 record, but bragging rights are up for grabs as the fillies renew hostilities post last year's Golden Slipper during Day Two of The Championships at Randwick.Last-start Group 1 conquerors both, the pair will lock horns in the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m) next Saturday at...
Gin Twist's future rests on upcoming track gallop
Whether Gin Twist pushes ahead for one more race or takes a spell will be settled by a gallop on the track.If she impresses during Monday's track work, the Lindsay Park two-year-old filly could head to the Listed Redoute's Choice Stakes (1200m) over 1200m at Caulfield this coming Saturday.Gin Twist...
Baker and King etch Australian Derby success with Green Spaces victory
Baker fulfilled a lifelong ambition with the Derby conquest, mirroring his dad, the celebrated Kiwi handler Murray Baker, responsible for five triumphs in the prestigious Randwick showpiece.Among Australia's longest-standing major events, the Derby began in 1861 alongside the debut Melbourne Cup taken by Archer.Baker disclosed plans to enter Green Spaces...
Dominant Doncaster Mile win for Sheza Alibi
The seasoned trainer Peter Moody was not often emotional during Black Caviar's tenure, but he was visibly moved after Sheza Alibi's impressive conquest of the Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick.Starting from close to the tail of the 16-horse lineup, the $1.90 top pick looked to have plenty of work to...
Gelding Hughes smashes Caulfield record in Victoria Handicap
Racing moves at a rapid pace over 12 months.A year back, the gelding Hughes took out a benchmark 70 over 1400m at Caulfield soon after joining trainer Gavin Bedggood. This Saturday saw him become a Group 3 victor in the Victoria Handicap (1400m), breaking the track record in the bargain.Ridden...