Efficient takes to cup like a fish to water

A day after his historic Melbourne Cup victory, New Zealand-bred Efficient was being pampered in his Flemington stable and looking forward to a well deserved holiday.

The four-year-old became the first horse since Phar Lap in 1930 to come back a year after winning the Victoria Derby to claim the Melbourne Cup.

His reportedly reclusive owner Lloyd Williams was more than happy to pose with the Cup and the horse affectionately known as Fish, who gave it to him.

Williams did not attend the Cup meeting but joined friends, family and staff last night to celebrate the victory and also the gallant fourth of Efficient's stablemate Zipping.

"It was moderately late for me but I'm getting too old for that," said Williams, who is a sprightly 67.

"We got up early this morning to take the horses including Efficient to the beach for a swim."

With assistant trainer John Sadler encouraging the Cup winner by waving his hands and calling "Fish" the steely grey had a good nudge at the trophy as he posed for pictures and lapped up the attention from Williams and strapper Angela Hill.

"He thinks he's a film star," his proud owner said.

Williams said Efficient would now go for a spell and be set for a light autumn campaign before a preparation aimed at a second Cup.

Efficient sustained a long swooping run to beat English stayer Purple Moon and promising Irish horse Mahler.

The third member of the international contingent, Tungsten Strike, finished a long last after leading for much of the race.

The three had a quiet morning at Sandown with a stroll around their stable yards and nothing came to light today to explain Tungsten Strike's disappointing performance.

Both Purple Moon and Mahler also came through their runs well.

Their respective trainers Luca Cumani and Aidan O'Brien are already on flights back to Europe but the latter's stable foreman Andrew Murphy said the Coolmore camp were thrilled with Mahler's run.

"He came through it just fine. We're very proud of him," Murphy said.

Local trainer David Hayes started four runners in the Cup with Blue Monday finishing seventh to Efficient, Lazer Sharp 10th, Tawqeet 14th and Black Tom 17th.

With $A110,000 ($NZ132,515) prizemoney paid to connections of horses finishing between sixth and 10th, Hayes said he was satisfied given his best hope didn't take his place after The Fuzz was scratched late because of a foot abscess.

"I was pretty happy with our Cup result," Hayes said.

"We had two finish in the money and The Fuzz I think would have as well, he was our best chance."

Provided there are no complications with The Fuzz once his foot abscess bursts, Hayes will consider a start in the Sandown Classic (2400m) on November 17 which could also be the target for Blue Monday.

Black Tom and Lazer Sharp will both be spelled while Tawqeet, who is a stallion, will almost certainly head to the paddock permanently.

"We're considering retiring him," Hayes said.

"He's just got too coltish for his own good but he'll get retired sound which is good."

Maybe Better, who finished third in last year's Cup behind the Japanese pair of Delta Blues and Pop Rock, was also a raceday scratching due to a ligament problem which did not appear too serious.

The news may not be as good for the Williams-owned Gallic, who was withdrawn from the Cup yesterday morning after he was found to be sore and has probably run his last race.

- AAP