Although international raider Prince Of Arran already has two Melbourne Cup placings to his credit, the Charlie Fellowes camp believe he is going into this year’s race in even better shape.
Fellowes’ travelling foreman and track rider, Aled Beech, said Prince Of Arran’s last-start fourth in the Caulfield Cup was proof of this as he suggested that run superseded his Melbourne Cup performances.
“The Caulfield Cup was arguably his best run here,” Beech said.
“There was a lot of hot competition in the race and the way he stormed home over the last couple of furlongs was incredible.”
Prince Of Arran was last at the 800 metres and produced the fastest closing sectionals of the race to finish fourth behind Verry Elleegant, running his last 200 metres in 11.92 seconds.
The eight-year-old is a $13 chance with TAB fixed odds for the Melbourne Cup next Tuesday at Flemington.
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Beech said Prince Of Arran thrived in Australia and his form here was better than at home in England.
“He loves the style of racing here. It suits him down to the ground,” Beech said.
In seven local starts, Prince Of Arran has recorded two wins and four minor placings, including a third in the 2018 Melbourne Cup and a second last year.
Until his Caulfield Cup run, Prince Of Arran had been ridden in all of his Australian starts by Michael Walker but he has been replaced this spring by Jamie Kah.
Kah, who is leading the Melbourne jockeys’ premiership, will have her first ride in the Melbourne Cup aboard Prince Of Arran.
Beech rode the gelding at Werribee on Wednesday morning and he was pleased with his work.
“It was a solid piece of work,” he said.
“I was happy with the way he went around and he kept on quickening and he stretched out really well over the last couple of furlongs.”
