Wohler to follow Protectionist path with favourite Red Cardinal

Andreas Wohler has already won one Emirates Melbourne Cup and plans to follow the Protectionist route with Red Cardinal, who heads the betting for Australia's greatest race.

Formerly with David Simcock, Red Cardinal was switched to top German trainer Wohler last year and beat the Hughie Morrison-trained Nearly Caught in a Group 2 at Hoppegarten in May.

The five-year-old then repelled Sir Mark Prescott's St Michel in the Belmont Gold Cup in June.

He has not run since, but will return in the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay at Deauville on August 20 before heading to Australia for the Herbert Power Stakes - the two races Wohler saddled Protectionist in before his famous Melbourne Cup triumph under Ryan Moore in 2014.

Wohler said: "The Prix Kergorlay at Deauville will be his last race in Europe and he's in great shape. Australia is a long way ahead, but that's his main target.

"The plan is to have a prep race in the Herbert Power. He's been fine since America and keeps improving; he hasn't raced much."

Wohler, who won the 2013 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes with Novellist, added: "Protectionist was really good, but everything Red Cardinal is doing he's doing right."

Red Cardinal, a son of Montjeu who began his career under the care of Aidan O'Brien, is as short as 12-1 with Coral for the Melbourne Cup, but Betfair Sportsbook go 20-1.

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