Up for the cup: Withhold camp take matters in their own hands with Geelong prep

6:00 Geelong
bet365 Geelong Cup | 1m4f | Group 3 Handicap | 3yo+ | Turf

With a place in the Lexus Melbourne Cup far from assured, Roger Charlton and Tony Bloom are going on the offensive by running Withhold in the bet365 Geelong Cup.

With 24 places up for grabs in the race that stops a nation, the lightly raced five-year-old is currently back down to number 36 on the order of entry, having been leapfrogged by Caulfield Cup runner-up Homesman – although he is reportedly being targeted elsewhere.

There are a few others also unlikely to run, but it is touch and go whether he would get in at the moment and as no-one can be confident, they have decided doing something is better than doing nothing.

“It’s a slight change of plan but I couldn’t be happier with how he’s trained and he’s ready for a race,” said the trainer’s son Tom, who is at Werribee overseeing his preparation.

“We thought we were about 50-50 [to get in the Melbourne Cup] if we didn’t run, so there’s still a chance he’d get in if he doesn’t win, and even if he’s second the prize-money he’d collect would move him up two spaces above some of the other horses on 53kg, but we’re hoping for a very good run and we’d be disappointed if he’s not bang there.”

As for why they chose Wednesday's Geelong Cup, run at 6am BST, Charlton added: “It has a slight reputation for being the easiest prep, which suits us. The Caulfield Cup’s quite a big target because of the prize-money, whereas we’re obviously targeting the big one [Melbourne Cup]. It’s also a fairer track for a horse of his style.”

Withhold is drawn ideally in stall six and Charlton said that while he expects jockey Kerrin McEvoy will not hang about, he does not need to lead as he has done on his last two starts.

He added: “He definitely could have improved again. He’s lightly raced, it’s been a really long process and everyone has put a lot of hard work into getting him here.

"We’ve had a few niggly things throughout the year at Beckhampton, so if it could all come together it would mean a lot to everyone.”

Withhold will face 15 rivals in the A$350,000 (£190,000/€215,000) Group 3 handicap as he attempts to move his way up the order of Melbourne Cup entry and improve his chance of a run.

Prince to head for Lexus Stakes

One horse who will not be running is the Charlie Fellowes-trained Prince Of Arran, who chased home Withhold in the Northumberland Plate on their last starts in Britain.

"He was entered, but he's not going to run," said Fellowes. "He’ll probably head to the Lexus Stakes on Derby day [November 3].

Prince Of Arran is likely to contest the Lexus StakesCredit: Tom Dulat

"He ran very well the other day when third behind Yucatan in the Herbert Power – it was a really good run. Gallic Chieftain [fourth] was not beaten very far in the Caulfield Cup on Saturday, so the form looks okay.

“We could have gone to Geelong, but I think the race will be hot enough and I’d rather go for the Lexus as I think Flemington will really suit him. It’s a 'win and you’re in' and while it’s not ideal being three days before the Melbourne Cup, it’s the race he has the best chance of winning.

"There’s the Moonee Valley Gold Cup too, which is a possibility, but the plan in my head is to run in the Lexus.”

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