Ashrun draws barrier 24 in the Melbourne Cup hours after winning the Lexus Hotham Stakes, to gain a start.
At 1:45pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) Saturday afternoon, international trainer Andreas Wohler, had a 2020 Lexus Melbourne Cup runner.
The, import, Ashrun, steamed down the outside of the Flemington straight, from last, to win the Lexus Hotham Stakes by 0.1L.
However, by 6:00pm AEST, Ashrun’s cup hopes were somewhat dashed by drawing the outside gate in the Lexus Melbourne Cup.
The last time a horse won the Melbourne Cup from barrier 24 was back in 1973, when Gala Supreme won it.
Although a blow, Wohler is still confident that he has a good hand on the Melbourne Cup with Ashrun.
“We shouldn’t have any interference for the first 1000m.
“We shall have a closer look at how the other horses are drawn and how well they move on, forward, backward. From there we will make our plans.
“The way they ran yesterday then he should have a chance of being in very good money,” Wohler said via the Australian Bloodstock website.
By all accounts, Ashrun has come through the run fine and shouldn’t have a problem on the short back-up for Tuesday’s race.
“I’m surprised by the way he is,” Wohler said.
“Such a race takes out of it (takes something out of the horse) but he’s eaten up, looks bright, moves well. Really happy.”
Ashrun opened $15 (with TAB) however, has consequentially drifted to $23 after the horror draw.
Current favourite Anthony Van Dyck ($8 with TAB) drew beautifully in barrier 3, as did main local hope Surprise Baby with barrier 7 ($9 with TAB).
The full field in order of barrier
Barrier 1 – 12. Prince Of Arran
Barrier 2 – 2. Mustajeer
Barrier 3 – 1. Anthony Van Dyck
Barrier 4 – 3. Vow and Declare
Barrier 5 – 17. The Chosen One
Barrier 6 – 11. Finche
Barrier 7 – 13. Surprise Baby
Barrier 8 – 19. Waring
Barrier 9 – 9. Stratum Albion
Barrier 10 – 2. Avilius
Barrier 11 – 4. Master Of Reality
Barrier 12 – 6. Twilight Payment
Barrier 13 – 23. Miami Bound
Barrier 14 – 5. Sir Dragonet
Barrier 15 – 7. Verry Elleegant
Barrier 16 – 15. Russian Camelot
Barrier 17 – 22. Oceanex
Barrier 18 – 14. King Of Leogrance
Barrier 19 – 10. Dashing Willoughby
Barrier 20 – 24. Person
Barrier 21 – 16. Steel Prince
Barrier 22 – 20. Etah James
Barrier 23 – 21. Tiger Moth
Barrier 24 – 18. Ashrun
