Ashrun Claims a Spot in Melbourne Cup

Mark Smith - Saturday October 31

The Andreas Wohler-trained Ashrun (FR) earned a place in the field for Tuesday's Melbourne Cup with a last stride win in the Group II Lexus Hotham Stakes (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Ashrun earns his way into the Melbourne Cup (George Salpigtidis/Racing Photos)

Carrying the colours of Australian Bloodstock, the son of Epsom Derby winner Authorized edged out Sound (GER) (Lando) by a short-head with Brimham Rocks (GB) (Fastnet Rock) a length back in third.

Advertisement

Group 1 placed in Europe, Ashrun (FR) arrived in Australia off a second in the Group II Prix Kergorlay. He was a close-up fourth behind Steel Prince (IRE) in the group III Geelong Cup on October 21.

He drops from 61 kgs to 53kgs in the Melbourne Cup, and handicapper Greg Carpenter said he would not be giving him a penalty.

"We are so happy because we were always aiming at the Cup but had our troubles getting into it," Wohler said.

“I was a bit worried on the way around because he did not jump well and have the position we wanted him to have, but Kerrin got him into contention quickly, and he just kept going.”

A half-brother to the German Group II winner Ashiana (Mastercraftsman), Ashrun is one of three winners from six to race out of the Group III winning Areion mare Ashantee.

Ashrun (Scott Barbour/Racing Photos)

Advertisment

Race Result - Hotham Stakes Gr3 2500m

Flemington Track: Good(4) Time: 2:37.94
1
Ashrun
- 5h Authorized (IRE) x Ashantee (GER) (Areion (GER))
Tnr: Andreas Wohler Rdr: K Mc Evoy 61
2
0.1
Sound
- 8h Lando (GER) x Sky Dancing (IRE) (Exit To Nowhere (USA))
Tnr: M D Moroney Rdr: Jamie Kah 59.5
3
1.1
Brimham Rocks
- 7g Fastnet Rock (AUS) x Colima (IRE) (Authorized (IRE))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J Bowman 60
Fastnet Rock
3
1.1
Future Score
- 6g Cape Cross (IRE) x Theola (IRE) (Kalanisi (IRE))
Tnr: Matthew Cumani Rdr: Fred W Kersley 58
5
1.6
Carif
- 5h So You Think (NZ) x Norzita (NZ) (Thorn Park (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: W Pike 57.5
6
3.6
Schabau
- 6h Pastorius (GER) x Staying Alive (GER) (Royal Dragon (USA))
Tnr: Robert Hickmott Rdr: M Zahra 56.5
7
4.1
Admire Robson
- 7h Deep Impact (JPN) x Admire Marine (JPN) (Kurofune (USA))
Tnr: P A Preusker Rdr: G Boss 56
8
5.6
Azuro
- 7g Myboycharlie (IRE) x Anthropologie (IRE) (Okawango (USA))
Tnr: C Maher & D Eustace Rdr: B Melham 58
9
8.3
Platinum Invador
- 5g Redwood (GB) x Atomic Dancer (AUS) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: P G Moody Rdr: L Nolen 59.5
10
9.8
Hush Writer
- 6g Rulership (JPN) x Star Of Sapphire (USA) (Tapit (USA))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Craig Williams 60
More Reading...
Another Day, Another Stakes-Winner for Wootton Bassett
A homebred for Marc Chan, quality Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Green Impact closed out his juvenile season winning the Group II Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown and he bounced back into the winner’s list at the same venue overnight.
A Passion That Lasts a Lifetime
A passion for pedigrees and thoroughbreds is often one that lasts a lifetime and so it has been for one of the co-breeders of Bravery, who contacted me this week following our earlier and very well read story on current 2YO star Cool Archie.
New Winner for Bivouac
Godolphin have been  enjoying a winning run with their late season juveniles and it continued at Geelong on Thursday where Bivouac gelding Loving opened his account.
Sires With Winners - Friday June 6
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 Queensland Oaks
Unbeaten this preparation, Philia will be looking to emulate her half-sister Duais in winning the $1million Group I BRC Queensland Oaks (2200m) on Saturday, but a swarm of up and comers are nipping at her heels, so who are they?
Sires With Winners - Thursday June 5
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Ashrun Makes Triumphant Return in Pakenham Cup
Ashrun (FR) led home a 1-2 for Australian Bloodstock when breaking a drought dating back to the 2020 Hotham Handicap. He proved the superior stayer in Friday night’s $300,000 Listed Sportsbet Pakenham Cup (2500m).
SWs in foal to Wootton Bassett and Snitzel headline the June (Early) Online Sale
Stakes winners in foal to Wootton Bassett and Snitzel, along with a significant number of young, well-bred racing and breeding prospects headline another intriguing catalogue for the Inglis Digital June (Early) Online Sale.
North Pacific 2YO Ready to Win
Byerley Park trainer Steven Cole will head to Ellerslie with a quartet of runners on Saturday, and he is particularly upbeat about the chances of Pacific Breeze in the Network Visuals 1200.
Inglis Ready 2 Race Entries Open
Entries for the Inglis Ready2Race Sale – Australasia’s most progressive 2YO Sale – are now open.