NZ-bred Efficient wins Melbourne Cup

Graeme Rogerson finally climbed his training Everest while a group of jubilant New Zealand owners shook their heads and wiped misty eyes.
Kiwi causes upset in Melbourne Cup fashion

Rogerson held the Melbourne Cup aloft, to go with previous wins in the Cox Plate (Savabeel) and Golden Slipper (Polar Success), after Efficient stormed home to win the $A5.1 million ($NZ6.17 million) epic at Flemington today.

Ridden by Michael Rodd, Efficient came with a huge late run to down British raider Purple Moon by half a length, with Irish-trained lightweight Mahler third after racing on the pace.

It was a disappointing day for the other New Zealand-trained runners, with Sculptor the best of them finishing ninth, collecting $A110,000 ($NZ133,000) for Levin owner-trainer Peter McKenzie.

Of the other Kiwis, Princess Coup was 13th and Railings 19th. Trans-Tasman trainer Mike Moroney's pair of Eskimo Queen and Sarrera were 15th and 18th respectively in the 21-horse field. #para There was a big New Zealand connection with the winner.

Efficient was sired by Sir Patrick Hogan's champion sire Zabeel, his third Melbourne Cup winner after Might And Power (1997) and Jezabeel (1998).

Efficient's breeder, Cambridge accountant Scott Williams, and Wellington trio Graeme Hunt and brothers Tony and Mike Sellars shared the spoils with a 25 percent share of the $A3 million ($NZ3.6 million) first prize between them.

Scott Williams said after the presentation: "Unbelievable, you just can't describe it. I almost broke down."

Melbourne multi-millionaire Lloyd Williams, who took a 75 percent share in Efficient after Rogerson purchased him for $220,000 at the National Yearling Sales at Karaka, south Auckland, wasn't on course, preferring to watch the race at home on television.

Rogerson, who operates stables in Hamilton, Sydney and Melbourne, said: "When you're in the Williams team it's easy. I'm lucky to be part of the team.

"We've done it all now, maybe next year or the year after I'll stand up there with Lloyd and we'll own one."

Hogan earlier estimated Lloyd Williams had spent about $20 million buying just over 100 Zabeels in recent years in his bid to win a third Melbourne Cup, and first since What A Nuisance in 1985. His first cup winner was Just A Dash in 1981.

Efficient is out of the Defensive Play mare Refused The Dance, who was raced by the Sellars brothers.

Scott Williams and Hunt bred Efficient then included the Sellars brothers in the ownership.

Said Scott Williams: "This rates the best it ever can be. It's pretty hard to beat this feeling."

It was a major form turnaround for Efficient who hadn't recaptured the form which won him a Victoria Derby a year ago. Efficient paid $22.40 on the New Zealand and Victorian's tote.

His lead-up form included 11th in the Turnbull Stakes and ninth in the Cox Plate, both at weight-for-age.

Lloyd Williams and assistant trainer John Sadler poured the work into Efficient in the past week and even tried him over hurdles at training.

Said Rogerson: "His runs have been all right - he just likes to get out in the clear. He (Williams) jumped him the other day and tried all the things to turn him around.

"Lloyd would have sat there for hours and hours, we had to turn him around. His work Tuesday morning was very good."

Rogerson and Lloyd Williams also saddled fourth-placed Zipping.

"Turning for home I thought Zipping was home to be honest. A Danehill (sire), he probably didn't quite get the two miles (3200m)," Rogerson said.

Second favourite Purple Moon was gallant in defeat after hitting the front early in the run home.

"I saw (Efficient) coming inside the 200m mark," Rogerson said.

"It's the feeling you never want to feel when you think you've got it won."

Purple Moon's English trainer Luca Cumani said he would "keep coming back until we win it", while owner Craig Bennett, who originally purchased Purple Moon as a hurdler, was downcast.

"Nearly's a long way isn't it?" Bennett said.

"A great run, a great thrill to be second but we came to win and I'm not the best of losers."

The favourite Master O'Reilly finished a well beaten eighth, jockey Vlad Duric saying he was "running on empty" from the 1100m mark.

There was drama on race morning when Rogerson's third runner Gallic was scratched, along with Maybe Better and New Zealand-bred stayer The Fuzz. All were found to have injuries.

NZPA