German trainer Andreas Wohler and Australian Bloodstock are looking for history to repeat itself, combining to bring promising stayer Ashrun to Australia to contest the 2020 Melbourne Cup.
The duo previously came together to bring Protectionist down under, winning the 2014 Melbourne Cup, with Australian Bloodstock’s Jamie Lovett saying the lightly raced Ashrun shares some similarities with the 2014 winner.
“Those exposed horses, they land with bigger weights and sometimes leave their best in Europe. We’re hoping this horse hasn’t reached its peak,” Lovett said.
“Not dissimilar to when Protectionist came out, he hadn’t hit his peak, he was still on the up. He hadn’t won a Group One race when he won the Melbourne Cup.”
“He’s a pretty exciting horse, he’s lightly-raced, I think there’s still a lot more to come.”
Watch: Ashrun finish second in the Group 2 Prix Kergolay (3000m).
Call The Wind is much the best in the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay at @fgdeauville and wins in effortless style under Olivier Peslier for Freddy Head… pic.twitter.com/BsBYX9oezx
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 23, 2020
Lovett admitted that Ashrun had been an interest for quite some time, after a string of impressive performances last preparation.
“He was quite a progressive horse at the end of last season and I know the owners had some pretty serious offers from the bigger players in Europe.”
“He wasn’t for sale and we just kept our eye on him in the hope that he’d develop into a Cups-type horse.
“The owners were obviously a bit reluctant to sell, thankfully for us it’s all fallen into place and we’ve been able to secure him at the right time.”
Shortly after it was announced Ashrun was headed towards the Melbourne Cup, a punter had $4000 on the galloper at $51, prompting bookies to reel in his price to $18.
