Raiders tighten grip on Cup

THE international raiders tightened their stranglehold on the Melbourne Cup yesterday with news 2007 winner Efficient had been ruled out through injury.

Leviathan owner Lloyd Williams still has Zipping and C’est La Guerre in the Cup but said the injury to Efficient’s off-front leg was devastating for the stable with the grey rated the best chance of upsetting the Europeans.

“It’s a tragedy for us but more so his personal attendant Angie Hill who has been looking after him for 51 weeks getting him ready for this event and she got within six days and this is what has happened,” Williams said.

“I feel sorry for Angie.”

Efficient’s withdrawal has further cemented the claims of Irish stayer Septimus, which is the solid $4.50 favourite with TAB Sportsbet ahead of English horse Mad Rush ($5.50), New Zealander Nom Du Jeu ($11), Godolphin’s Caulfield Cup winner All The Good ($11) and Irish mare Profound Beauty ($13).

Zipping and C’est La Guerre lead the Australians at $16 with bookmaker Sportingbet Australia offering $1.30 that the Melbourne Cup winner will not be trained in Australia.

“We are currently betting $1.30 that the winner will not be trained in Australia and that actually still looks value,” chief executive Michael Sullivan said.

Aidan O’Brien, the trainer of Septimus, has no doubt he deserves to be favourite.

“Septimus is a horse that tries extremely hard,” O’Brien said.

“Honolulu and Alessandro Volta, they save a little bit, they’re lazy and they only give what they need to.

“But Septimus, when you ask him, he gives it all.”