Both the 2024 Melbourne Cup winner (Knight’s Choice) and the 2025 Melbourne Cup winner (Half Yours) will be in action in The Q22 … a Group 2 race which many feel is on its way to Group 1 recognition … when that contest rounds off the day’s action at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
That, in itself … being able to witness two famous Melbourne Cup winning combinations in action … Robbie Dolan on Knight’s Choice and Jamie Melham on Half Yours … will be a treat for local racing enthusiasts and when you add the likes of Vauban and the Pride Of Jenni, amongst others, into the mix the Q22 becomes a serious contest.
Interestingly enough, there is no last start winner in the eleven-strong line-up … in part because most contenders have been building up to the 2200m trip in measured fashion, taking their chances in feature races along the way, but remaining firmly focused on a end of Stradbroke season gameplay which carries $720 00 in winning prize-money.
Half Yours, is a particular case in point. Since resuming nearly five months after his Cup triumph, the chestnut has raced three times taking a progressive step up in distance on each occasion … from 1400m, to 1800m, to 2000m … building fitness all the time which should have him cherry-ripe for Saturday’s assignment as he gets into his more comfortable striking range distance-wise.
He is the $3.50 race favourite.
Knight’s Choice, for his part, has not had things go smoothly for a long time … perhaps that is an understatement …with most of the disappointment not being of his own making.
A fetlock injury and the rehabilitation time that took … coupled with a period of enforced quarantine after a strangles outbreak in the stables where he was based … along with facing a series of wet tracks (which he apparently detests) when looking to return … meant that Knight’s Choice only raced once between November 2024 until April 2026.
Knight’s Choice has had two runs since resuming after a seven month layoff at the Gold Coast on May 9 … both over 1800m.
While he, like Half Yours, will prefer the 2200m trip on Saturday, there are two big queries in play here … namely, has Knight’s Choice got enough miles in the legs in this preparation to come out fighting fit, or will he be short of a run … and, perhaps more importantly, just how badly will the rain affected track compromise his chances, that is, if he runs at all … as his participation could be under a cloud if the racing surface stays in the heavy range.
The hope is that he will face the starter, so that the two Melbourne Cup winner treat can be savoured by racegoers.
Knight’s Choice is currently an $81 chance … but, don’t let the price alone put you off. He did win the Melbourne Cup at a starting price of $91 with bookies.
Vauban and Pride Of Jenni, at $4.80 and $5.50 respectively, are on the second and third line of betting, behind Half Yours, respectively. Militarise and Zambaro are at $7.
