European Group winners could bolster Macedon Lodge Cup defence

Darryl Sherer - Sunday August 27

The Macedon Lodge team were delighted with the return of Almandin on Saturday and have signalled they are likely to add to its 2017 Melbourne Cup team with Group winners from Europe.

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Order Of St George. Photo: Ascot Racecourse

Lloyd Williams is part-owner of Order Of St George and owns Rekindling outright and after watching last year's Melbourne Cup winner Almandin finish second to Pacodali at Moonee Valley his son Nick indicated both could be possible travellers.

Williams said while Rekindling was an easier decision, there is a good chance the 2016 winner of the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot could make the trip this year.

"He's some chance but I would have thought Order Of St George is more of a chance," Williams said.

"Our partners and Aidan seem to be warming to the idea of bringing him here. Aidan didn't think the horse was ready last year and he would have had topweight.

"You could argue he hasn't been in quite as good form this year so he should get a bit less weight. He's rated a couple of pounds below what he was last year so you'd think he'd get a little bit less."

Order Of St George shared the original topweight with Protectionist for last year's Melbourne Cup with 58kg but remained in Europe and finished third behind stablemates Found and Highland Reel in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe over 2400m at Chantilly after wining The Gold Cup

Order Of St George had Rekindling 4 3/4-lengths behind last time out in the Group III Irish St Leger Trial (1m6f) last time out on August 19 and Williams said the younger horse is still improving.

A three-year-old son of High Chaparral, Rekindling defeated Wicklow Brave by half a length in the Group II Curragh Cup after beating two home in the Epsom Derby.

Williams said plans for the Joseph O'Brien-trained colt are fluid.

"He'll either go to the Irish St Leger or the English St Leger or the race in France (Arc de Triomphe) or he might come here," Williams said.

"Order Of St George will probably go to the Irish St Leger but we'll see. There's a long way to go (Melbourne Cup) but we've got a great hand - at the moment we couldn't be happier."

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