Knight’s Choice stretches legs in Caulfield barrier trial

Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice has returned to the public eye with a barrier trial at Caulfield, marking the first step in his latest preparation.

The 2024 Cup hero had been sidelined after being caught up in a strangles outbreak at Macedon Lodge, which forced him into quarantine and ended any chance of a defence of his Flemington crown.

A highly contagious bacterial infection, the disease affected multiple horses at the Victorian training base of John Symons and Sheila Laxon, triggering strict biosecurity protocols and preventing normal training and travel for an extended period.

Knight’s Choice was not asked for an effort in his trial, instead completing the hit-out under a hold as part of a gradual return to fitness.

The rising seven-year-old made late ground in his heat over 1000m to finish fourth.

Symons and Laxon have outlined a Queensland winter campaign, with the Hollindale Stakes among the likely targets.