Geelong Cup: Prince Of Arran stakes claim for Melbourne Cup shot after decisive victory
Has smart import Prince of Arran done enough after his gutsy Geelong Cup victory — the fastest run edition in 15 years — to win through to his second Melbourne Cup where he finished third last year?
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Prince Of Arran is a “fighter” who will on Thursday find out whether his Geelong Cup victory was enough to secure a berth in the Melbourne Cup.
The gelding is in the box seat to land a second-consecutive spot in the race.
“Dear Mr Carpenter, if you would kindly give PRINCE OF ARRAN a 0.5-1kg penalty for winning the Geelong Cup that would be hugely appreciated,” the trainer tweeted minutes after the victory.
“Yours Sincerely, Charlie Fellowes PS get in there you beauty!!!!!!! Amazing job Tash Eaton. We are back baby!”
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The Geelong Cup does not carry ballot-free exemption into the Melbourne Cup, with Prince Of Arran sitting 37th in the order of entry before the win.
Its penalty will be announced on Thursday morning.
A half-kilo penalty would boost the seven-year-old up to 30th.
Prince Of Arran fended off True Self in the $400,000 2400m feature at Geelong — the fastest run edition in 15 years — to stake his claim for a spot after finishing third in last year’s Melbourne Cup.
Dear Mr Carpenter, if you would kindly give PRINCE OF ARRAN a 0.5-1kg penalty for winning today’s Geelong Cup that would be hugely appreciated. Yours Sincerely Charlie Fellowes
— Charlie Fellowes (@FellowesRacing) October 23, 2019
Ps get in there you beauty!!!!!!! Amazing job Tash Eaton. We are back baby!
Prince Of Arran fends off a fast finishing True Self to win the Geelong Cup for @FellowesRacing. Now to the Melbourne Cup? 🤞 pic.twitter.com/a7xRD1KS0w
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 23, 2019
Outstanding performances by Prince of Arran and True Self In G3 Geelong Cup - only winner can be penalised- Announcement on penalty (if any) to be made tomorrow @RacingInsider
— Greg Carpenter (@RVCarps) October 23, 2019
Walker admitted he was “a little bit worried” pre-race, but declared “we’re going to the Melbourne Cup, cuz!,” upon returning to the winners’ circle.
“I was actually sitting in the gates and saying to myself, which I don’t usually do, ‘this is going to be a disaster today’, because a lot of people had changed their plans to go forward in the race — horses that usually go back,” he told the Herald Sun post-race.
“My horse never jumps out of the barriers good, apart from the Melbourne Cup last year, and today because he was the last one in, he was still awake. He didn’t fall asleep and he jumped good.”
Prince Of Arran fastest Geelong Cup race time past 15 editions.
— Dominic Beirne (@domran) October 23, 2019
In previous 15 years, fastest was 2002 Media Puzzle (won Melbourne Cup)
2004 Zazzman set strong pace (3rd to Makybe in Melbourne Cup)
2005 On A Jeune (2nd to Makybe Melbourne Cup)
Prince of Arran, surely that's enough to clinch a rehandicap for the Melbourne Cup @FellowesRacing @walker84_walker
— Aidan Rodley (@Agent200) October 23, 2019
Third last year, 12 months on looks to be going even better.
Walker said the win had come “the hard way”.
“I had to be the cat to drag the field up to chase the mouse,” he said.
“One thing I knew is he’s a fighter and he’s got a big heart. The other day when the winner, The Chosen One, went past me, he tried to but he just needed the run.
“Today, you would have thought that Johnny Allen was going to go past me (on True Self). Even Johnny said ‘f…ing Jesus, I thought I had you!’.
“My horse pinned his ears back and goes ‘you’re not passing me’.
"He is going to have loads of carrots... I love this horse to death."
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 23, 2019
Groom Tash Eaton is ecstatic, Prince Of Arran absolutely loves Australia! @FellowesRacing pic.twitter.com/eWzYUT6Ds8
Tash is going to give Aaran loads and loads of carrots 😊😊😊
— Amanda ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ðŸ¾ (@showaheart) October 23, 2019
Ok might have to cheer for Prince of Arran in the cup if he gets in, Tash who looks after him is absolutely gorgeous 🥰
— Kate Goodrich ðŸ’🇠(@kategoodrich) October 23, 2019
Britain, Ireland and France take the first three slots in the Geelong Cup as Prince Of Arran (@FellowesRacing) leads home True Self (@WillieMullinsNH) and Haky (@jhammondracing).
— Emma Berry (@CollingsBerry) October 23, 2019
“After the line he kept going again. Bring on the Melbourne Cup. It’s special for Charlie, his wife. I’d like to give a special mention to Tash (Eaton, Fellowes’ travelling foreperson), who travels the world with the horse. She deserves all the credit. I’m just the lucky guy who they’ve chosen to guide their horse. She deserves the credit more than anyone.”
Haky finished in third place with Linda Meech aboard.
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Tash Eaton, Prince Of Arran’s travelling partner, called on Carpenter to “be nice” in his ruling.
“I’m just hoping and praying that it’s enough to get in, that’s what we want, old Greg (Carpenter) to be nice, come on,” she said.
“Arran is a legend … He is going to have loads of carrots. He gets loads anyway, because he’s proper spoilt. I love this horse to death.”
His Geelong Cup win saw he odds for the Melbourne Cup tumble from $26 to $18.
Prince Of Arran earned a start in last year’s Melbourne Cup after winning the Lexus Stakes on Derby Day — where the winner is guaranteed a start in our most famous race.
He did himself proud, finishing third Cross Counter and Marmelo.
