A well-judged front-running ride by Kerrin McEvoy on Gallante has given leviathan owner Lloyd Williams a fourth Sydney Cup and undone the Chris Waller stranglehold on the race.

McEvoy steered Gallante ($10) across from the outside alley and took control of Saturday's 3200m race.

The field bunched turning for home but just as it looked as if the challengers would come, Gallante kicked and held off the Waller trio - Libran, the $4 favourite, last year's winner Grand Marshal ($5.50) and Who Shot Thebarman ($4.40).

McEvoy said he took a call from Williams in the morning and received some sound advice.

"Fair play to Lloyd," McEvoy said.

"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.

"The horse got into a nice rhythm and it just shows the outside barrier is not the end of the world."

Riding him like a European stayer worked and maybe reminded the five-year-old of his former home in France where he won three races.

Trainer Robert Hickmott and Williams' son and co-owner Nick were on hand for the win and said Gallante had nearly been sent back to Europe.

"Six months ago he got beaten at Pakenham," Williams said.

"He's had the ultimate gear change. He's been gelded since then and that has made all the difference because he had a shocking attitude.

"We knew he was a great stayer but he needs some give in the ground."

Brenton Avdulla, who was beaten 1-1/4 lengths on Libran, admitted he was disappointed not to win.

"I'm a little bit heartbroken," he said.

"We've won all the prelims, the semis and all that and we got here today and just couldn't get it done in the grand final."

Lloyd Williams' first Sydney Cup came in 1987 with Major Drive and his other wins came in 2007 with Gallic and 2013 with Mourayan.

Waller who won last year with Grand Marshal said it wasn't to be.

"They all went well," he said.

"It was a great ride by Kerrin McEvoy and a good training performance for the winner."