Michael Rodd basked in the glory of his first Melbourne Cup winner. Photo / getty Images
Melbourne - The staying qualities of Efficient were to the fore in the Melbourne Cup at Flemington but they pale against those of Mary Sadler, mother of the winner's assistant trainer John Sadler.
The 99-year-old made the trek to Flemington today to watch the cup runs of the
two horses her son helps prepare for owner Lloyd Williams.
Efficient won the cup. Zipping was fourth.
Their third, Gallic, was scratched on the day from the showpiece after injuring himself.
John Sadler said he didn't bring his mum to the cup every year but made a point of ensuring she was there today.
"Not every year, but I told her to come today," Sadler said.
"She turns 100 on January 12," he said.
Not only did Mary brave the crowd of more than 100,000, she left the track with a smile and a few extra dollars in her pocket.
"She's the last of the big spenders," Sadler said.
"She went into a $2 sweep and a $5 sweep and she got Efficient in one and Zipping in the other."
With a laugh he added: "It's a rort."
Sadler is an important cog in the Williams' team as the official trainer Graeme Rogerson also has stables in Sydney and New Zealand.
While Efficient had not won a race since last year's Victoria Derby, Sadler said he relished the drop back to handicap company today and the step up to 3200m.
"He is an out and out stayer - he showed that in the derby last year," Sadler said.
"We hadn't given him the opportunity to stay. It's been at a mile and a quarter (2000m) his last two runs at weight-for-age and he's a good handicapper over a mile and a half (2400m) plus."
Sadler admitted they were disappointed with Efficient's lacklustre ninth to El Segundo in the Cox Plate but some jumping in training helped get the four-year-old's mind back on the job.
As for how the winning team will celebrate the win?
"I really don't know but I reckon we'll have a drink," Sadler said.
It may well be Mary's shout.
- AAP
