THE Irish-bred pair of Gallante and Libran finished first and second in Saturday’s Sydney Cup though it was the former that spoiled the Chris Waller party. A Group 1 winner of the Juddmonte Grand Prix de Paris in 2014 when trained by André Fabre, Lloyd Williams purchased Gallante but had seen no return from five starts in 2015.

Gelded, his fortunes began to turn with a third in the Group 3 Manion Cup to Libran leading into Saturday’s $2 million Group 1 over 3,200 metres. With Kerrin McEvoy and a handicap of 51.5kgs, Gallante had little trouble overcoming the widest barrier in the 11 horse field to take up the running.

His rump was all anyone saw as Gallante made all to win by over a length from the Waller trio of Libran, Grand Marshall and Who Shot Thebarman.

“Lloyd just gave me a heap of confidence,” said McEvoy. “He told me the horse is flying, drops a lot in weight and handles the (soft) ground.

“He told me to take my time early and get him into a position. He told me to ride the horse like Frankie Dettori rode Golden Horn in the Arc last year.”

Bred in partnership by Camas Park Stud and Lynch Bages Ltd, Gallante, by Montjeu, out of the Machiavellian mare Crazy Volume, is a full-brother to last year’s Grade 2 Istabraq Hurdle winner Plinth and is now fully qualified for this year’s Emirates Melbourne Cup.