Written by Paul Vettise
The connections of Ashrun (Fr) (Authorized {Ire}) are following a tried and true approach in a quest for further success in the G1 Melbourne Cup.
In 2014, Australian Bloodstock bought into the Andreas Wohler-trained Protectionist (Ger) (Monsun {Ger}) after he had won the G2 Prix Kergorlay at Deauville and two runs later he triumphed at Flemington.
Directors Jamie Lovett and Luke Murrell have this year purchased an interest in August’s Kergorlay runner-up Ashrun, also trained by Wohler, who will make his Australian debut in Tuesday’s G3 Bet365 Geelong Cup.
“At this point everything has gone to plan and he obviously travelled over well and the staff at Werribee have said that he is in very good order,” Lovett said. “Geelong will tell us a lot more, but expect a good showing.
“Andreas is a very good judge and we first talked about this horse 12 months ago. In our mind, he profiles like the right sort of horse to bring for a Melbourne Cup and he’s got a winning weight (53kg).”
“In our mind, he profiles like the right sort of horse to bring for a Melbourne Cup and he’s got a winning weight (53kg).” – Jamie Lovett
Ashrun is currently 34th in the order of entry to the Cup and will need a win and a weight penalty to be assured a run in the Flemington feature.
“I’ve probably got nine out (above him) that I know of so he’s somewhere in the mix, but not guaranteed a spot at this stage,” Lovett said.
The winner of three of his 11 starts up to 2500 metres in Europe, Ashrun had also finished third in the G1 Grosser Preis von Bayern before confirming his Melbourne Cup credentials in the Kergorlay.
“We had many discussions prior and it ticked another box travelling over to France,” Lovett said.
“Andreas was just ensuring he was the right horse so we certainly didn’t want to enter into the ownership before that so we waited and pulled it all together pretty quickly after the Kergorlay.
“We’re very fortunate that we’ve got a loyal group of owners. They were waiting for us to make the call on the horse when we knew Andreas was keen to bring him.
“They were waiting for us to make the call on the horse when we knew Andreas was keen to bring him.” – Jamie Lovett
“The owners who have had the horse all the way through have stayed in for a leg so they get the experience. Obviously, they can’t come this year but hopefully they will have a runner in the big race.”
Lovett said Ashrun will return to Europe after the Melbourne spring carnival.
“He’ll go back and this horse has plenty to give. It’s the right thing to take him home and he’ll have a light prep I would suggest next year.
“Depending what happens this year, he may come back again next year and in between there are some lovely international races for him.
“There is so much uncertainty around us and there’s certainly no given with anything at the moment.”
