Racing: Gai gets her second Cup runner

Gai Waterhouse. Photo / NZH

Gai Waterhouse will have two runners in the Melbourne Cup with Excess Knowledge winning his way into the field " twice.

The favourite in yesterday's Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington, Excess Knowledge was in a battle in the final 200m with the Darren Weir-trained Zanteca.

Excess Knowledge won by a short half-head with Zanteca's rider Damian Lane immediately firing in a protest against Dwayne Dunn, saying he had come in on top of his mare and impeded her running.

However, stewards disagreed, saying at no time did Zanteca lose her running and they would be reluctant to uphold such an objection.

Waterhouse, who won the Cup with Fiorente two years ago, did not show any tension as they waited for the result.

"Isn't it exciting," she said.

She was also excited once the horse joined stablemate The Offer in the 24-horse field for Tuesday's Cup.

"I'm confident he will go well," she said. "He's so well weighted in the Cup."

The United States, who was No 24 for the Cup before Excess Knowledge won the Lexus, still gets a run with his owner Lloyd Williams taking stablemate Amralah out on Saturday.