Almandin a likely runner for Flemington Saturday

Brad Waters - Tuesday October 3

Melbourne Cup winner Almandin is set to be another of the star attractions in action at Saturday's Flemington meeting.

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Almandin is likely to target a second win in the race named after the legendary Bart Cummings. Photo: Steve Hart

Winx will run in the Group I Turnbull Stakes (2000m) and part-owner Nick Williams has advised the public Almandin was a likely runner in Saturday's Group III Bart Cummings (2500m).

Almandin won last year's edition of The Bart Cummings with 55kg four weeks before his Melbourne Cup triumph and the son of Monsun will carry 60kg if he runs on Saturday.

The eight-year-old comfortably handled 61kg in his easy last-start win in the Listed JRA Trophy (2500m) at Flemington on September 16 and will be out for his fourth straight win over 2400m or further.

The top stayer's only defeat in his last five starts came when resuming over 2040m at Moonee Valley on August 26.

Damien Oliver, who has been booked to ride the import in the Melbourne Cup, will ride Almandin if owner Lloyd Williams decides to send the gelding around on Saturday.

Williams has eight of the 24 nominations for The Bart Cummings, which offers a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption to the winner.

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