Sheila Laxon has never failed to win the Melbourne Cup on the days she has had a runner, and she is aiming for history to repeat itself this Tuesday at Flemington.

Her partner, John Symons, and Laxon are pinning their hopes on Knight’s Choice for a second victory in the 3200-metre Group 1 classic.

Knight’s Choice produced one of the greatest upsets in the race’s 165-year existence when he triumphed at $91 two years ago, 23 years after Laxon’s iconic win with Ethereal.

These two horses are the only runners Laxon has ever put forward for the Melbourne Cup.

Last year, Knight’s Choice was prevented from defending his title due to an early end to his spring campaign following a strangles outbreak at Macedon Lodge. However, this year has been trouble-free, and he is ready to race again on Tuesday.

“It’s a bit scary, isn’t it? It’d be 10 million-to-one that you could get that result,” Laxon stated when asked about the chance of going three-for-three.

“But it’s been a great race for me. Just unbelievable.

“It was a shame about last year when we got strangles at Macedon Lodge and we were shut down for three months, but he’s back raring to go, so let’s hope he can figure in the finish.”

Only five horses have ever won the Melbourne Cup multiple times; Peter Pan, who was successful in 1932 and 1934, is the sole horse to have won it twice in non-consecutive years.

Knight’s Choice heads into this year’s race following a 14th-place finish in the Caulfield Cup, the exact same result he achieved in the same race two years prior.

Unlike in 2024, Knight’s Choice did not participate in the Bendigo Cup this year. However, his unlucky third in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at his last start supports Laxon’s view that he is in better form than he was two years ago.

“I really do think he’s going better than he’s ever been going,” Laxon said.

“He’s matured, he’s stronger, he’s got that smirk about him that he thinks he’s really good, so with luck in the running he’ll be there at the end.”

Knight’s Choice, who will again be ridden by Cup-winning jockey Robbie Dolan on Tuesday, drew barrier two. Laxon was pleased with this draw, particularly as the horse carries 5kg more than when he won, but she noted that the weather would be the most significant factor affecting his chances.

The seven-year-old son of Extreme Choice performs best on good tracks.

“It all depends on whether it rains or not before Tuesday, because he’s an absolute duffer on wet tracks,” Laxon commented.

“An inside barrier makes it easier. He can just jump out and smoke his pipe and conserve all his energy until the end and hope for a run through.

“Obviously he carries a lot more weight this time, but he’s as well as he’s ever been.”

No rain is expected in Melbourne on Sunday, but between 4-20mm of rain is forecast for Monday, with a chance of showers on raceday.

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