Maitland’s Luke Murrell isn’t the only one who thinks Protectionist can win the Melbourne Cup today.
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The five-year-old stallion will be one of the favourites at Flemington this afternoon, with odds of $7.50 to claim the race that stops a nation.
But paying closest attention to the German import and willing him across the line at 3pm will be Murrell, a part owner with his Australian Bloodstock syndicate.
“I think he just wins to be honest,” Murrell said.
This will be Murrell’s third crack at the time-honoured 3200-metre event following his 2010 debut with Illustrious Blue (ninth) and Lucas Cranach running third the next year.
But unlike previous attempts, and a few other owners such as Belmont’s Jamie Lovett, Coonabarabran’s John Hunter and a few Sydney-based Irishmen, Murrell said he has remained relatively calm this time around.
“The other owners are quite nervous but I’m not nervous at all,” he said.“I’m just excited to be there again.”
Murrell picked up Protectionist four months ago after a two-year chase and the 36-year-old from Aberglasslyn said the preparation has been tip top.
“It has been absolutely perfect,” he said. “Unlike Lucas Cranach when nothing went to plan, this has been the complete opposite.”
Protectionist has raced just once in Australia, finishing fourth in the Herbert Power at Caulfield on October 11.
This was the one and only time Protectionist, trained by Andreas Wohler, has been unplaced in nine career starts, which has yielded four victories.
Englishman Ryan Moore has been given the ride and met with Murrell for the first time yesterday after arriving in Australia from race commitments in America.
As for the tactics Murrell said Protectionist would race like a typical European horse and start creeping up with 1000m to run and slingshot into the middle of the track before, hopefully, being first past the post.
Protectionist will jump from barrier 11.
Adding to the Hunter connections in Victoria, today will be Newcastle trainer Kris Lees, whose late father Max was born and bred in Morpeth, with Lucia Valentina ($6.50) in the mix to clinch the 2014 crown as well.
Caulfield Cup winner and Japanese top weight Admire Ratki ($4.80) is the race favourite.