Melbourne Cup 2018: England import A Prince of Arran wins through to Melbourne Cup final field

POWERFUL English raider A Prince of Arran has won through to the Melbourne Cup and trainer Charlie Fellowes cannot believe his good fortune: “Plans don’t often come off like that.”

THE field and the barriers for the 2018 Melbourne Cup have been finalised:

AT THE GATES: THE WINNERS AND LOSERS

1. BEST SOLUTION — 57.5kg 6

2. THE CLIFFSOFMOHER — 56.5kg 9

3. MAGIC CIRCLE — 56kg 17

4. CHESTNUT COAT — 55.5kg 4

5. MUNTAHAA — 55.5kg 13

6. SOUND CHECK — 55.5kg 16

7. WHO SHOT THEBARMAN — 55.5kg 18

8. ACE HIGH — 55kg 22

9. MARMELO — 55kg 10

10. AVILIUS — 54.5kg 11

11. YUCATAN — 54.5kg 23

12. AURAY — 54kg 1

13. FINCHE — 54kg 15

14. RED CARDINAL — 54kg 5

15. VENGEUR MASQUE — 54kg 2

16. VENTURA STORM — 54kg 7

17. A PRINCE OF ARRAN — 53kg 20

18. NAKEETA — 53kg 3

19. SIR CHARLES ROAD — 53kg 14

20. ZACADA — 53kg 24

21. RUNAWAY - 52kg — 12

22. YOUNGSTAR — 51.5kg 8

23. CROSS COUNTER — 51kg 19

24. ROSTROPOVICH — 51kg 21

Yucatan is the $4.20 'Final Field' favourite for Tuesday's #MelbourneCup at @FlemingtonVRC before the barrier draw which begins at 6:30pm. https://t.co/qRHTrSzpSE pic.twitter.com/LGDIG31dOR

— TABcomau Media (@tabcomaumedia) November 3, 2018

PRINCE GETS HIS CHANCE

DECADE after being introduced to the aura of the Melbourne Cup by Lee Freedman, Englishman Charlie Fellowes has the chance to emulate his mentor after A Prince Of Arran’s brave Lexus Stakes (2500m) victory.

MELBOURNE CUP: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Fellowes, 32, spent a year with Freedman at Mornington in 2008, using the experience of learning from the five-time Cup-winning trainer as an eventual launching pad to taking out his own licence.

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On Tuesday, Fellowes has the opportunity to deliver England’s first Cup winner, eclipsing the runner-up efforts of Newmarket-based trainers Ed Dunlop, Luca Cumani and Saeed bin Suroor.

On the most defining day of his emergent career, Fellowes struggled to reconcile the fact his flag-bearer had secured a coveted golden ticket into the Cup with Lexus victory.

“I can’t believe we’re in the big one on Tuesday,” Fellowes beamed after A Prince Of Arran ($4.40) rallied to hold off Brimham Rocks ($4.20) and Jaameh ($4.60).

“Plans don’t often come off like they did there but he’s been in great form.

“He’s travelled over here so well and the girl who travelled with him, Natasha (Eaton), has done the most unbelievable job all year, even from the beginning of the year in Dubai.

A Prince Of Arran, ridden by Michael Walker wins the Lexus Stakes. Picture: Michael Klein

“This was our Derby. This was the race that we needed to win.

“Anything from now on is a bonus. We’ll freshen him up, hopefully he comes out of it good and we’ll give it our best shot on Tuesday.”

The win franked Yucatan’s devastating Herbert Power Stakes triumph, with Brimham Rocks (second) and A Prince Of Arran (third) filling the placings at Caulfield.

Despite Yucatan’s stunning last start display, jockey Michael Walker believes A Prince Of Arran is a serious player.

“He has done well,” Walker said.

Trainer Charlie Fellowes after the win of A Prince of Arran.

“I hit the front too early but nothing was taking me into the race, and in these staying races, these European horses keep going.

“He was pretty strong at the finish and I’m looking forward to Tuesday. I’ve got a ride now and hopefully it continues.”

Brimham Rocks has now finished runner-up in the Kingston Town, Metropolitan and Herbert Power.

“Am I allowed to say I’m disappointed?” trainer Chris Waller said.

“Obviously being part of the big race on Tuesday would have been very special … but I shouldn’t be complaining, but I feel for the owners who’ve come this far and come so close.”

A Prince Of Arran avoided a penalty for the win. He will now attempt to complete the Lexus-Melbourne Cup double, a feat last achieved by Shocking in 2009.