Mixed emotions for Melbourne Cup placegetters
YOUNG English trainer Charlie Fellowes was on a high after A Prince Of Arran ran third in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, but Hugh Bowman felt a bit flat after running second on Marmelo.
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YOUNG English trainer Charlie Fellowes was on a high after A Prince Of Arran ran third in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, but Hugh Bowman felt a bit flat after running second on Marmelo.
And who could blame the champion jockey?
Bowman, searching for his first Cup win, decided to ride for luck when the field fanned on the home turn and the move looked to be a masterstroke as Marmelo saw plenty of open air and burst up the rail.
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He took the lead off A Prince Of Arran inside the final 200m and looked the winner before Cross Counter flew down the outside to nab him with a handful of strides left and win by a length.
It’s hard to get a read on Bowman at times due to his relaxed, laid-back nature, but you got the feeling he thought it was the one that got away.
Due to his weight, Bowman doesn’t always get his pick of Cup runners like he does in most races and knows he won’t get the chance to ride a lightweight hope like Kerrin McEvoy or Corey Brown regularly do. It was a top ride however.
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“He ran his race,” Bowman said. “I’m disappointed but happy for the horse and well done to Hughie (Morrison, trainer) for bringing him over in such good order.”
Fellowes was anything but unhappy after A Prince Of Arran held on for third with Michael Walker on board.
Just minutes after the race he was starting to plan his six-year-old’s Cup preparation for 2019.
“We will be back next year,” he said. “To run third in a race like this is just remarkable. Now that we have shown what we can really do.”
A Prince Of Arran was a $23 chance when the gates opened but ran above expectations.
He only got into the race after winning the Hotham Handicap (2500m) on Saturday and European horses aren’t adept at backing up so quickly.
But Fellowes and his connections weren’t complaining after they pocketed $500,000 for running third.
“If we had not run three days ago and we didn’t get the rain, he would have gone close,” Fellowes said.
“He would have run even bigger than he did now. This is going to put our name out there and we have learned so much. Today feels like a win.”
Walker was equally as bullish about the horse’s chance in the big race next year. He already wants the ride.
The Kiwi hoop exposed A Prince Of Arran at the top of the straight and gave him every chance.
“He’s all heart, the horse,” Walker said. “I couldn’t have wished for a better run. I gave him a good run and I know I’ve got a top chance for next year.”