SWASHBUCKLING WIN FOR KNIGHT

Former European Saracen Knight launched himself onto the scene in Australia with a thrilling win second-up at Caulfield on Saturday.

At just his second start in the land, the Camelot gelding - owned by Lloyd Williams and partners - was running on late in the 2000m handicap with roughie Irish Flame off and gone and seemingly having the race shot to pieces.

Watch Post Race Interview with trainer Danny O'Brien

Watch Post Race Interview with jockey Damian Lane

But the Brett Scott-trained galloper, who started $31, stopped quickly in the shadows of the post, as the famous Melbourne Cup-winning navy silks swept past as jockey Damian Lane timed his chase to perfection to win by 0.2L.

Saracen Knight is among the Melbourne Cup entries, and TAB reacted to his win by reeling his price in for the $8 million feature from $201 to $34.

Prior to Saturday, he was equal 115th in the ballot though, so he's got a fair bit to do in the coming five weeks to be featuring on the first Tuesday in November.

In a fairly stark contrast, the final 200m sectionals of the quinella - separated by just a head on the line - were nearly three-quarters of a second (0.72s) apart.

Granted, the ground-saving run from Damian Lane out of barrier one aboard the import might've been a big factor, but Saracen Knight certainly lapped up the soft conditions to loom into spring contention.

The horse was second-up off a near two-year break, having most recently saluted the judge in a mile-and-a-half race at Naas, Ireland in September 2018.

Story by Luke Sheehan for Punters.com.au

Pic by Racing Photos