Lloyd's Cup hope wins at Sandown

Wed 8 Sep

Muir became the first of owner Lloyd Williams' team of overseas Melbourne Cup prospects to win a race in Australia when he scored narrowly on a heavy track at Sandown.

Williams paid millions of dollars for the European horses which include Irish St Leger and Prix Du Cadran winner Alandi, Akzar, Martial Law, Mourayan, Imposing and Our Aristocrat who are all among his dozen first declarations for the 150th anniversary of the Cup.

Muir opened at $2.40 but was easy in the betting ring and started $3.30 favourite in Wednesday's Winooka Hcp (2100m).

Apprentice Jack Hill's only ride at the meeting, the Galileo five-year-old, having his third run in Australia, made an early run to take the lead on the home turn and kicked clear in the straight before being hotly challenged by Packing Success ($21).

He kicked back strongly to score by a short half-head with Theraceison ($9) 1-3/4 lengths away third.

"Every time Packing Success came at him he dug deep and put his nose out," Hill said.

"I spoke to Mr Williams last night and the plan was to be in the first four and just get rolling a little bit early because these European stayers take a little while to wind into it. - aap

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