Charlie Fellowes trained Prince of Arran will back up in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.
Prince of Arran, above, has firmed on to the second line of Melbourne Cup betting following a win in the Lexus Stakes on Saturday.
The six-year old British import ran a beautiful race to win the Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday, jumping beautifully from the barriers to settle fourth and run home late.
The win gives Fellowes his first ever Cup hopeful, a race the British trainer feels privileged to be a part of.
“This was our Derby, this was the race that we needed to win, anything from now on is a bonus” Fellowes said after the race.
“We’ll freshen him up, hopefully he comes out of it good, and we’ll give it our best shot on Tuesday.”
The son of Shirocco has firmed from $34 into $14 with Ladbrokes ahead of next week’s $7 million race. Jockey Michael Walker also secured his spot in the Cup, well deserving after winning the Sale Cup on Doubt Defying and the Bendigo Cup on Red Alto last week.
“I actually hit the front too early, but nothing was taking me into the race” Walker said following Saturday’s Lexus win.
“Most staying races, these European horses they keep going, I was pretty strong at the finish and I’m looking forward to Tuesday, I’ve got a ride now and hopefully it continues.”
The bookies appeared to have the odds dead on ahead of the Lexus with Prince of Arran at $4.60. He enjoyed the run of the race from barrier two, and it was encouraging to see him find an extra gear down the straight after second placegetter Brimham Rocks loomed late in the final 100m.
“Am I allowed to say I’m disappointed?” Brimham Rocks trained Chris Waller said after finishing runner-up for the fourth straight time this Spring.
“I feel for the owners, we’ve come so far and run so close, and obviously he wins the race, you’re high-fiving and celebrating because you’re into the Melbourne Cup.”
Having now placed in all five of his starts this prep, Waller isn’t sure of Brimham Rocks’ future.
“I’m not sure, there’s plenty of carnivals still coming up,” Waller said when asked about the possibility of a run in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes next April.
“He’s come a long way in a short time, we won’t rush into thinking about it.”
Full Melbourne Cup odds can be seen below.
