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Lloyd confirms Almandin Will Run In 2017

LLOYD Williams confirms last years winner Almandin will start in the 2017 Melbourne Cup before to become the 6th horse to win 2 ­Melbourne Cups, the horse race that stops a nation

Lloyd Williams says the Rekindling the Irish galloper is his other hope in the race and hopefully win his 6th Melbourne Cup.

Almandin is likely to run in the 2500m Bart Cummings at Flemington Saturday week or the 2400m Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse a week later.

Rekindling says Williams is a very promising stayer and maybe the best he has owned since his 2007 Melbourne Cup winner Efficient.

Damien Oliver says to David Hayes on Thursday he wouldn’t be able to ride Vega Magic in The Everest as it clashed with the Herbert Power but would like to ride Melbourne Cup Bonus Bets ­favourite.

Damien Oliver has ridden Almandin 3 times for 3 wins but could not make the weight to ride Almandin in the 2016 Melbourne Cup.

Almandin won The Bart Cummings last year before winning the 2017 Melbourne Cup with jockey Kerrin McEvoy on board.

This year Almandin is odds of $6 and favourite with Bookies for the Cup with ­Rekindling a long shot at $51.

Lloyd Williams confirmed to Damien Oliver the ride Almandin after the 2 combined to win the JRA Trophy at Flemington.

Oliver is trying to win his 4th Melbourne Cup, which would then equal Bobbie Lewis and Harry White.

Williams has not stated who is riding Rekindling, with weight of 51.5kg and trained by Joseph O’Brien.

Rekindling finished fourth in his last race, beaten 2 lengths, in the English St Leger at Doncaster over 2800 metres.

Williams other 2 horses Johannes Vermeer and Taj Mahal which are trained in Ireland, will arrive in Melbourne tomorrow. Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate are also there target.