Ashrun storms home to book a spot in the 2020 Melbourne Cup

A blistering run from the back of the field has seen a Melbourne Cup flyer book its spot in the great race and join the favourites.

Ashrun has stormed home in the Group 3 Lexus Hotham Stakes to claim a spot in the 2020 Melbourne Cup after edging Sound at the post.

A nailbiting finish saw Ashrun pip Sound at the post after flying from the back of the field down the straight.

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The win launches Ashrun into the Melbourne Cup in three days time and follows on from a stellar run in the Geelong Cup where he finished fourth.

“Big performance from Ashrun with 61kg. Now onto the Melbourne Cup with 53kg. Good to see the Geelong Cup form stand up in that race,” the Herald Sun’s Glenn McFarlane wrote.

“My goodness was a tough win by Ashrun! Bob of the head decides a #MelbourneCup place,” the Herald Sun’s Tim Michell wrote.

“Super effort from the winner. Caught the eye previously at Geelong, and trainer Andreas Woehler is a top operator. Must go well on Tuesday if he pulls up ok,” ESPN’s Andy Withers wrote.

RELATED: Melbourne Cup 2020 ultimate guide

The #MelbourneCup dream is alive for Ashrun. 🏆

From the back of the field, Ashrun stormed home to pip Sound on the line in the Lexus Hotham Stakes. pic.twitter.com/9fEC4T8cQo

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 31, 2020

The flying finish saw Ashrun shorten from a rank outsider at $51, all the way down to a $15 chance to claim the Melbourne Cup.

Ashrun trainer Andreas Wohler completed his 14 days of quarantine before driving down to Melbourne yesterday and will now prepare his charge for the big race on Tuesday.

LEXUS HOTHAM STAKES RESULTS

1: Ashrun

2: Sound

3: Brimham Rocks + Future Score

With 61kg on his back, Ashrun stormed home for Andreas Wohler to win the Lexus Hotham Stakes and book a ticket for the horse in the #MelbourneCup.

He drove down from NSW yesterday arriving in Vic just before midnight, after being in quarantine for two weeks. Well worth it! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/guOv3xMhuH

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 31, 2020

LIKELY MELBOURNE CUP 2020 FIELD

1. VERRY ELLEEGANT (NZ), Chris Waller, 55.5kg

2. SIR DRAGONET (IRE), Ciaron Maher & David Eustace, 55.5kg

3. ASHRUN (FR), Andreas Wohler, 53kg

4. OCEANEX (NZ), Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr), 51.5kg

5. PERSAN, Ciaron Maher & David Eustace, 51kg

6. ANTHONY VAN DYCK (IRE), Aidan O’Brien, 58.5kg

7. VOW AND DECLARE, Danny O’Brien, 57kg

8. AVILIUS (GB), James Cummings, 57kg

9. RUSSIAN CAMELOT (IRE), Danny O’Brien, 53.5kg

10. MASTER OF REALITY (IRE), Joseph O’Brien, 56kg

11. TWILIGHT PAYMENT (IRE), Joseph O’Brien, 55.5kg

12. TIGER MOTH (IRE), Aidan O’Brien, 52.5kg

13. MUSTAJEER (GB), Kris Lees, 55kg

14. STRATUM ALBION (GB), Willie Mullins, 55kg

15. PRINCE OF ARRAN (GB), Charlie Fellowes, 54.5kg

16. WARNING, Anthony & Sam Freedman, 53kg

17. SURPRISE BABY (NZ), Paul Preusker, 54.5kg

18. DASHING WILLOUGHBY (GB), Andrew Balding, 54.5kg

19. FINCHE (GB), Chris Waller, 54.5kg

20. ETAH JAMES (NZ), Ciaron Maher & David Eustace, 52.5kg

21. MIAMI BOUND (NZ), Danny O’Brien, 51kg

22. THE CHOSEN ONE (NZ), Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman, 53.5kg

23. STEEL PRINCE (IRE), Anthony & Sam Freedman, 53.5kg

24. KING OF LEOGRANCE (FR), Danny O’Brien, 53.5kg