By Bren O'Brien
Last year's Melbourne Cup placegetter Prince Of Arran (GB) (Shirocco {Ger}) looks to have done enough to earn a second shot at the famous Flemington handicap, with a hard-fought win in the G3 Bet365 Geelong Cup on Wednesday.
In what was a very competitive renewal of the traditional Melbourne Cup lead-up, Prince Of Arran sat just off the pace set by Haky (Ire) (Muhtathir {GB}), and struck the lead early in the straight. Michael Walker powered him clear at the 200-metre mark, but True Self (Ire) (Oscar {Ire}) surged late and cut the margin to just 0.2l on the line, with Haky back in third, completing an internationally trained trifecta.
The Charlie Fellowes-trained 7-year-old has now had five starts in Australia for two wins, a second and two thirds.
"He's just a legend, he's my boy!" travelling foreman Natasha Eaton said. "Everyone back home deserves this success. Charlie deserves it."
"I can't thank Charlie enough for sending him out here. I just love travelling with him. It’s an absolute dream. He is going to have loads of carrots after this!
"I just love travelling with him. It’s an absolute dream. He is going to have loads of carrots after this! " - Natasha Eaton
"He's turned over a new leaf out here. He loves it. I'm hoping and praying it's enough for him to get in (to the Cup). That's what we want, we want (RV chief handicapper) Greg (Carpenter) to be nice to us."
Heading into the Geelong Cup, Prince Of Arran was 36th in the Order Of Entry for the Melbourne Cup at 6.5kg below weight-for-age, but is now liable to attract a penalty.
Last year's Geelong Cup winner Runaway (Manhattan Rain) was penalised 1.5kg, while the year before Vengeur Masque (Ire) (Monsun {Ger}) was given 0.5kg.
Twelve months ago, Fellowes needed to run Prince Of Arran in the Lexus S. three days before the Cup to get into the race but he should be assured of getting in with anything more than 0.5kg.
Natasha Eaton and Prince Of Arran (GB)
Eaton says she feels the horse is stronger than ever, as does Walker, who has ridden him in each of his Australian runs.
"Hopefully we get a run in the Cup now. He did it the hard way. People changed their tack in the race and the speed was a bit funny. Because he doesn't jump so good, I was worried," Walker said.
"I felt even though he was doing it easy, I was doing a lot of the donkey work taking them up to the leader. He was off the bit cornering, but as soon as he hit the straight, he stretched out and he's got a heart bigger than anyone on this course today."
"He's got a heart bigger than anyone on this course today." - Michael Walker
"I'm just hoping he can go two better than he did last year."
The win saw him shorten in the Melbourne Cup market from $26 into $18.
True path may lead to Mackinnon
Irish mare True Self, trained by Willie Mullins, was sensationally backed ahead of the race but fell just short of putting herself in the mix for a Melbourne Cup start. She too is 6.5kg below weight for age and currently 39th, and without a penalty, would need to win the G3 Lexus S. on Derby Day to get in.
But Terry Henderson from OTI Racing, who manage the ownership of the mare, indicated afterwards that connections may opt for a different path.
True Self (Ire) (black cap) fell just short of putting herself in the mix for a Melbourne Cup start
"The run will improve our mare and it will be interesting to see where Willie might want to take her from here," he said. "She's a more a brilliant sort of horse, so don’t be surprised if you see her name pop up in a race like the Mackinnon."
Henderson confirmed Haky, currently 46th in the Order Of Entry, would likely head to the Lexus S. and try to get a spot in the Melbourne Cup via that pathway.
Leading local hope Steel Prince (Ire) (Nathaniel {Ire}) was never really a factor after settling last. Damien Oliver tried to swoop into the race at the top of the straight, but he was left too much of a task and was beaten 4.55l.
However, he is already guaranteed a run in the Melbourne Cup after winning the Listed Andrew Ramsden S. earlier this year.
