Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw No Issue For Our Ivanhowe

Our Ivanhowe was allocated gate 22 at the 2015 Melbourne Cup barrier draw last night, but trainer Lee Freedman believes that the barrier draw is irrelevant for the $6 million event that will be held at Flemington on Tuesday.

Ben Melham has been booked to partner Our Ivanhowe in the 2015 Melbourne Cup. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Ben Melham has been booked to partner Our Ivanhowe in the 2015 Melbourne Cup. Photo by: Daniel Costello

The Freedman team has not had a runner in the Melbourne Cup since Lucas Cranach ran a gallant third behind Dunaden in 2011, but Freedman is one of the most successful trainers in the history of the race having previously claimed victory with Tawrrific (1989), Subzero (1992), Doriemus (1995) and Makybe Diva (2004 and 2005).

Freedman said that it was tough to compare Our Ivanhowe to any of his previous Melbourne Cup winners, but he was adamant that he couldn’t be happier with the imported stayer and he is confident the German can give him a sixth victory in ‘the race that stops a nation’.

“There is no reason why not,” Freedman said at the Melbourne Cup barrier draw when asked if Our Ivanhowe can win the Melbourne Cup.

“The horse is going great and the barriers are immaterial in Melbourne Cups.

“We don’t want to use up too much petrol and we just want to be in front at the right end.

“I couldn’t be happier and I am being absolutely genuine about that.

“He is set to peak this week and if we get any luck he will win.”

Our Ivanhowe is yet to record a race win from his four race starts in Australia, but he has improved each time that he has been seen at the races and finished in the placings in both the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2520m) at Flemington on October 7.

The Solider Hollow entire has shown no issues handling the firm surfaces that have been presented in Melbourne during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival, but he produced his best performance in Europe on a soft track when he took out the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Bayern (2414m) at Munich on November 1 and Freedman believes that any rain that hits Flemington between now and the Melbourne Cup will be good for his charges chances.

“It is good for him,” Freedman said.

“Even though it might not be a wet track there still won’t be the absolute sting in the ground given the forecast over the next few days.”

Our Ivanhowe is currently available at 2015 Melbourne Cup odds of $26 with Ladbrokes, while Fame Game ($4) remains a dominant favourite from Trip To Paris ($9), Preferment ($10) and Criterion ($15).

Don’t miss out on the outstanding Melbourne Cup giveaway that is available with Ladbrokes! Place any bet on the Melbourne Cup and you have the chance to win a share of $70,000 worth of prizes that includes a2015 Ford Ranger 4×4, 2015 Aquamaster Open Boat or 2015 Honda CRF250L Motorbike.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.