Picture: Bruno Cannatelli
Victory within the Archer Stakes has earned Level King a poll exemption for the Melbourne Cup.
Proprietor Lloyd Williams has moved a step nearer to profitable an eighth Melbourne Cup after Irish-bred galloper Level King earned a begin within the nice race with a combating win at Flemington.
Level King took out the Group 3 Archer Stakes (2500m) on Saturday to earn a poll exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 5.
The Archer Stakes was run on Saturday having been moved from its conventional place on Victoria Derby Day for these gallopers on the lookout for a late poll exemption into the Cup.
Ridden by Jamie Kah, Level King ($4.60) scored by a neck from Hit The Highway Jack ($19) with the $3.40 favorite Berkshire Breeze an additional 1-¼ lengths away third.
Williams’ son Nick mentioned he and his father have had a number of time for Level King, a six-year-old by Australian time that has raced solely 11 occasions.
“We purchased him as a yearling. He’s by Zoffany and that yr we purchased three Zoffanys,” Williams mentioned.
“A very good good friend of mine within the northern hemisphere talked us into it as we wouldn’t usually purchase Zoffanys.
“I offered one in every of them and his identify is Fawkner Park. Two out of the three have been fairly good and one in every of them has gained an enormous mile race in Eire.
“This one is a horse we like. He’s nonetheless on the up and he’s frivolously raced.
“He put 4 in-a-row collectively over there at decrease grade and as much as Listed stage and any horse that wins 4 in-a-row at any stage is an efficient horse.”
Level King began his profession with Joseph O’Brien in Eire and on arrival in Australia had a stint with Kris Lees in Newcastle.
The gelding additionally frolicked with Darren Weir earlier than making his approach to present trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman.
As to Level King’s additional program in the direction of the Melbourne Cup, Williams mentioned that may be one thing sorted out by his father and the Freedman father-and-son coaching operation.
Kah is unbeaten on Level King in two rides having scored on the gelding at Moonee Valley final month.
“He’s a really stylish animal,” Kah mentioned.
“When he will get round these horses it actually sparks him up.
“He’s received all of the expertise on this planet however he’s an actual thinker and as soon as he types his mind out, he’ll be proper within the race.”
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