After his stunning 2024 Melbourne Cup victory, Knight’s Choice will aim to defend his title in 2025, with trainers Sheila Laxon and John Symons confirming plans to prioritise an Australian campaign.

The team dismissed the allure of an overseas campaign, including the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, citing track flexibility as a key factor.

“The Melbourne Cup is the most sensible road to take,” said Laxon. “If we stay in Australia, we’ve got other options if there’s a wet track.”

Knight’s Choice will target the Group 1 Tancred Stakes at Rosehill in March, following a path similar to Laxon’s 2001 Cup winner Ethereal.

The gelding will also aim for the Q22 in Queensland before tackling the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.

Currently, the horse is enjoying downtime after his campaign, with light work set to resume in a few weeks.

Reflecting on the Melbourne Cup triumph, Laxon called it “surreal,” adding, “Everything went according to plan, which seldom happens in racing.”

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