Lloyd Williams 2017 Contenders

Hi all,

I'm a great admirer of Lloyd and his obsession of winning Melbourne Cups. he is clearly a breeding expert and only chooses horses based on their pedigree (which is clearly close to my heart also).

Essentially and simply he believes in the below criteria that horses need in Melb Cup
1. Breeding - above all (see what I did there)
2. Low in the weights (preferably 54 and below)
3. Win at least one lead up race

Interestingly this week he has most of his big chances are nominated for the Race at Flemington over 2600 this week.
Namely:
Almandin
Crocodile Rock
Hans Holbein
Aloft
Bondi Beach
Granddukeoftuscany (plodder but possible pacemaker)

Since earlier this year he has said it is an even bunch and we all know he likes to keep them low profile to keep them away from the handicapper like last year with Almandin. Potentially he has Order of St George coming (don't think so but may) and Johannas Vormeer.

I think his best chances this year are:
Crocodile Rock
Aloft
Hans Holbein; and
Johannas Vormeer

I think we will see some big runs from some of his runners that need to win a race or two to qualify for the Cup but still keep low in the weights (which is why I haven't named Almandin or OSG).

What are your thoughts on Lloyd and his chances?

I'll keep this thread alive with updates as I think his horses will be in the pointy as the whips are cracking!

Already think he's got too much weight.. an extra 4.5kg's.. Lloyd would prefer a lighter weight horse imo

Djebel are you saying Almandin can't get any extra penalties from here (i.e. from winning key lead in races)? I thought with the new handicapping rules it was just in relation to the Caulfield Cup (i.e. Almandin could safely target that and win it without threat of extra weight in the Melbourne Cup)? 

Lloyd might know what he's doing, but his son is a big dumb oaf who's personal wealth comes from the couple of car parks he bought with his pocket money. I can't believe they keep giving him clear airspace, but suspect he's there to give independent 'credibility'  to whatever shady stuff the Caulfield Lads Club want to try and pull next.

He was concerned about the firm track at Newcastle.

Any news on Kilimanjaro? Was originally nominated for the stable race but was the only one that didn't accept.

Lord Hybrow wrote: Lloyd also has REKINDLING, trained by Aiden O'Brien, who had previously been touted as a chance to come down for the Cup. OUR CENTURY hasn't been mentioned in this thread either.  Nice stayer, who was only just touched off by BIG DUKE in the 2017 Manion Cup.   Personally, I don't understand Lloyd's logic this weekend.  He's got 6 stayers all going around in the same 2500m race at Flemington.   He also entered several of those into the Newcastle Cup 2300m, but didn't accept with any of them!    Wouldn't it make more sense to split his stayers between the 2 races, particularly for those that need to get their ratings up to be any chance of getting into bigger races later in the spring?    I would have thought that CROCODILE ROCK & HANS HOLBEIN would have been perfect candidates to run at Broadmeadow.  Winning a G3 race like the Newcastle Gold Cup, would look good on their resume & if they won well, perhaps attract a small weight penalty to help them climb the Cup's order of entry. Is his aversion to NSW racing that strong, that he'd let that cruel the opportunity of his horses to fulfil their potential?

Forgot about Our Century, agree I rate him too

On Lloyd having 6 in the 1 race on Sat, Nick was on racing.com a few weeks back saying how stupid it is that Melbourne has only 1 staying race on a Sat for all of September and all of theirs would have to go to this race for a run, I guess they've got the $$$ to run them all here and prove their point.

Afros wrote: On Lloyd having 6 in the 1 race on Sat, Nick was on racing.com a few weeks back saying how stupid it is that Melbourne has only 1 staying race on a Sat for all of September and all of theirs would have to go to this race for a run, I guess they've got the $$$ to run them all here and prove their point.

Like an Ozzy Osborne record, you have to play it backwards to get the real message.

Will be interesting to see who he sends to the Herbert Power.. could be up to 5 going there:
Aloft
Hans Holbien
Crocodile Rock
Our Century
Foundry

Anyone know why croc rock was scratched for Cummings?

Very interesting.. took boosted on Johannas at 71's.. looks beautifully bred and weighted quite well imo for MC.. also guaranteed a cup run

Aloft (IRE) - rider Ben Melham reported his mount got its tongue over the bit which affected its performance. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Much improved run by Our Century today. No luck at all and should definitely have run a place at least. Looks like he's screaming for further too. Really like this horse and there's a race for him somewhere this Spring.

Lloyd also has recently purchased US ARMY RANGER, who is already assured of a Cup start. I assume it will be sporting the ‘navy with white armbands’ in the Cup.

Plus he has the very talented OUR CENTURY, who was warming up ok in the Cranbourne Cup last start. Not sure where he appears next, but will need to win his next start and get a weight penalty to jump up the order of entry.

With the grand final for all of his horses approaching he has 6 starters.

Starters:
Almandin
Johannas Vermeer
Rekindling
US Army Ranger
Bondi Beach
Gallante

Almandin, JV and Rekindling all under $20 and live chances...

Almandin - could be anything and is the most talented imo.. weight could be the difference and Frankie doesn’t fill me with confidence.

JV - has the breeding to stay and a huge live chance.

Rekindling - lightweight which usually team Williams love.. under the radar and beautifully bred.. breeding suggests a good turn of foot

I also believe Bondi Beach is a sneaky chance (albeit very sneaky). Same horse that had huge wraps last year with 56kg.. he’s now 54kg, but has struggled for form. Last year in the MC, he was shuffled back with the inside barrier and draws it again.