Our Ivanhowe has been backed into 2015 Melbourne Cup odds of $21 and co-trainer Lee Freedman could not be happier with the imported stayer ahead of the Group 1 event at Flemington on Saturday.
Ben Melham and Lee Freedman have the chance to combine for another feature race win with Our Ivanhowe in the 2015 Melbourne Cup. Photo by: Taron Clarke
Our Ivanhowe drifted out to a quote of $26 in Melbourne Cup betting markets after he was allocated barrier 22 on Saturday afternoon, but Freedman is adamant that the barrier will not be an issue for the Solider Hollow entire and the veteran trainer is confident he will run right up to his ability in ‘the race that stops a nation’.
“It is the race that we have set him for and I’ve got very few doubts about him staying the trip with the way that he has been finishing his races off,” Freedman said.
“The track should suit him – even if there is no more rain it will probably be a softer track than what he has raced on since he has been in Australia.
“It is a Melbourne Cup and he has drawn 22, so there are a few negatives, but there are a lot of positives too.
“I am confident he is going to run as well as he can and I am confident if we get the right amount of luck in the race that he can be a player.”
Our Ivanhowe started his 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with a ninth place finish in the Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on September 19 and he finished a gallant second in the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2520m) at Flemington on October 4 before he was far from disgraced when third behind Mongolian Khan and Trip To Paris in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).
Freedman said that Our Ivanhowe has trained on strongly coming out of the Caulfield Cup and he is confident that the two-time Group 1 winner will be better suited by Flemington in the 2015 Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.
“I think he has improved quite a bit,” Freedman said.
“It is hard to evaluate exactly the amount, but I’m sure he has improved.
“His work has improved and he is going into the race as good as I can get him.
“We had to go very early because the eventual winner went early and there was no point sitting and waiting.
“We were on his back at the 700 and we had to keep following and I think that he just peaked on his run 80 or 100 metres out.
“I think Flemington will suit him a lot better.”
Our Ivanhowe is currently available at 2015 Melbourne Cup odds of $21 with Ladbrokes, while Fame Game ($4) remains a clear favourite from Trip To Paris ($8.50), Preferment ($11) and Max Dynamite ($13).
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