Wheeler has faith in Pentathlon for Cup

It would be safe to say jockey Mark Du Plessis wasn’t New Plymouth trainer John Wheeler’s favourite person at Flemington on Saturday.

Wheeler was in a dark mood after Du Plessis ‘‘slaughtered’’ Pentathlon in the Lexus Stakes won by tomorrow’s Melbourne Cup second favourite Oceanographer.

Pentathlon raced wide and made a move 800m from home as Du Plessis set him a chase after a solid speed set by Tom Melbourne.

The effort told and the Pentire 5-year-old felt the pinch fading to finish seventh 11.5 lengths adrift of Oceanographer.

Wheeler hopes a quiet chat with the Kiwi jockey will turn fortunes around tomorrow when they jump from barrier four.

‘‘It’s the best barrier we could have hoped for,’’ Wheeler said. ‘‘He’s going to be right there and all I hope is he can switch off and Mark can get him to relax.’’

That wasn’t the scenario on Saturday and Wheeler was still incredulous 24 hours after the Lexus.

‘‘The horse had no hope the way he was ridden on Saturday. I couldn’t believe it,’’ Wheeler said.

But the Kiwis need to stick together as they take on the might of Godolphin’s six-pronged attack and the quartet of Lloyd Williamsowned runners.

‘‘If Mark can switch the horse off and he is left to do his thing then he’s some sort of chanc. We know he can run two miles and he can handle good ground,’’ he said.

‘‘I’m still reasonably confident, everything has gone perfectly in his preparation but I was pretty frustrated on Saturday.

‘‘The horse pulled up well and he ate up last night. I’m happy with him. He’s out in the paddock and I won’t need to do much with him before Tuesday’’

Also at Flemington will be the O’Leary clan from Whanganui who head to the Cup for the third time with Who Shot Thebarman their New Zealand-bred, Chris Waller-trained son of Yamanin Vital.