Kerrin McEvoy ignores trainer's instructions but still pilots Ruscello home

ED Walker gave Kerrin McEvoy two very explicit instructions before riding Ruscello yesterday - and the jockey ignored both of them.

ENGLISH trainer Ed Walker gave Kerrin McEvoy two very explicit instructions before riding Ruscello at Flemington yesterday - and the jockey ignored both of them.

But Walker wasn't about to question McEvoy's tactical nous after guiding Ruscello to an all-the-way win in the Group 3 $300,000 Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington yesterday.

"Kerrin has done a magnificent job,'' Walker said.

"The two instructions I have him were, one, get cover, and two, don't hit the front too early - luckily he didn't listen to me.

"He gave him a good breather around the bend and just kicked and the one thing this horse has got is a lot of guts and he tries his heart out."

Ruscello secured a Melbourne Cup start with his Lexus Stakes win, ending the Cup ambitions for most owners and trainers of beaten rivals.

Since Baystone won the Lexus (then Hotham Handicap) and Melbourne Cup double in 1958, only three horses have won both races - Think Big (1974), Brew (2000) and Shocking (2009).

Walker admitted he was unsure about whether to test Ruscello in the $6.2 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday.

"He's only a four-year-old and has just run the biggest race of his life and to ask him to run it again in three days is probably a bit unfair,'' Walker said.

"To be honest with you, it (Cup start) has to be no until the horse tells us yes.''

Ruscello ($11) set a slow tempo up front and turned the Lexus Stakes into sprint home, running his final 600m sectional in 34.53s which was going to make it difficult for his chasing rivals to run him down.

At the finish, Ruscello had hung on, fighting off Let's Make Adeal ($9.50) to win by a short neck with Araldo ($4.20) one-and-a-half lengths away third.

McEvoy described Ruscello as a "very genuine stayer''.

MELBOURNE CUP SWEEP GENERATOR

"He stepped up today to win and he'd be a competitive chance in the Cup,'' McEvoy said.

"If he pulls up well you've got to have a look at him for sure and he's a lightly raced horse so you might as well have a crack.

"If this horse gets some cover in the Cup and relaxes better it will help him see the trip out and it will be interesting to see how he goes.

"He's a tough, genuine stayer and would hold his own in the field if they decide to run.''

Ruscello had been last in the orde of entry for the Melbourne Cup but his win meant that he was exempt from ballot, if connections chose to run.

Let's Make Adeal ran up to win the Lexus - and secure a Melbourne Cup start - but was outstayed by Ruscello.

Jockey Michael Walker felt Let's Make Adeal would return a better horse next spring.

"I think she will be back here in 12 months and be going for Melbourne Cup again,'' Walker said.

"She's only young, lightly-raced and still maturing and will be a better horse next year. She's certainly got the staying ability.''

Let's Make Adeal has the pedigree to be a Melbourne Cup contender next year. Her granddam is champion mare Let's Elope, winner of the Caulfield Cup-Mackinnon Stakes-Melbourne Cup treble in 1991,

Araldo ran on well for third after appearing a likely winner half-way down the straight.

Jockey Glen Boss was on one rein trying to prevent Araldo from laying in under pressure.

"He presented to win but he wanted to get in and that was because he was weakening in the last 100m,'' Boss said.

Ethiopia was back near last from most of the race and his effort to power home for fourth was an excellent Melbourne Cup trial.

Ethiopia is 13th in the Melbourne Cup order of entry and has already secured a Cup start.

Ruscello's win meant that the remaining 12 Lexus runners failed to improve their chances of getting into the Melbourne Cup field on Tuesday.

Kelinni ran a very good fourth in last year's Melbourne Cup but he over-raced yesterday and struggled to run only 10th.