Best of British luck for Arran

CHARLIE Fellowes is venturing into unknown territory with A Prince Of Arran, contemplating a Melbourne Cup pathway most European trainers would avoid.

Compelled to run his stable flag-bearer in Saturday’s Lexus Stakes at Flemington to earn a Cup slot on Tuesday, Fellowes said backing up a horse so quickly in England was virtually unheard of.

But he’s prepared to break from convention to become the first British trainer to snare Australia’s most famous race – at the age of 32.

“It’s amazing that no British (trainer) has won,” Fellowes said. “It’s testament to how hard it is to win.

“If we get in, the race will really suit him. The way you guys run two miles over here, it will be right up his street.

“He’s got a turn of foot and I actually think I’ve been running him over too far.

“When I saw him work with the two sprinters (Godolphin’s Comicas and Jungle Cat) here the other day, I thought, ‘Maybe you are quicker than I’ve given you credit for’.

“(Foreman) Tom Charlton, who was out here with Withhold, messaged me after he worked. I was asleep and (he) sent me a video and said, ‘You’re running your horse over the wrong trip’.

“He pulled five lengths clear of the two of them. This year he’s improved out of sight.”

Fellowes worked for trainer Lee Freedman in Victoria 10 years ago and would love nothing more than to emulate the Cup-winning feats of his former boss.

The Lexus – and post-race recovery – are the stumbling blocks for A Prince Of Arran, who is No.29 in order of entry for the 24-horse Cup field.

A Prince Of Arran ran third, beaten 1.65 lengths, to Yucatan in the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield on October 13.

Yucatan is the $4.50 Cup favourite with Ladbrokes while A Prince Of Arran is $51.

The Aidan O’Brien stable’s travelling foreman TJ Comerford has dismissed stamina queries over Yucatan.

Asked about stepping the import up to 3200m, Comerford said: “I don’t think it’s a problem. He saw out the mileand-a-half (2400m) well.”