Apprehension has turned to excitement for young English trainer Ed Walker following the decision to start Ruscello in the Melbourne Cup.
After initial hesitation about progressing to Tuesday’s $6.2 million Cup after Ruscello’s qualifying win in the Lexus Stakes on Saturday, Walker said the decision became a “no brainer” later that afternoon.
A three-day back up is not something that would normally be attempted in Europe, especially with a stayer, and one who was bought by Australians with the intention of running in next year’s Cup.
On Saturday afternoon Walker was even considering seeking the advice of the 12-time winner Bart Cummings on backing horses up from the Derby day meeting into the Melbourne Cup.
But then he thought better of it.
“I was actually going to ask Mr Cummings for some advice for backing up a horse but when I found out that we knocked him out, I thought I better not,” Walker said.
Had Ruscello bypassed the Cup as expected, the Cummings-trained Precedence would have gained a start.
OTI’s Simon O’Donnell said the way the horse won the Lexus and his demeanour on the big day convinced him and the other owners to take the chance.
Walker was delighted with the way Ruscello had come out of Saturday’s race after checking on the horse at Werribee on Sunday morning.
“If I hadn’t have accepted I would have been kicking myself now because he has come out of it great,” Walker said.
The trainer knows the five-year-old faces a “huge task” in the Cup, especially after drawing the outside gate, but says everything is a bonus after the surprise Lexus Stakes win.
Ruscello’s Cup weight of 50kg also paved the way for Cox Plate-winning apprentice Chad Schofield to gain his first Melbourne Cup ride.
Schofield was hovering in the mounting yard straight after the Lexus, keen to lock in the chance to partner the English horse.
“Full credit to the guy,” Walker said.
“You admire people with that sort of hunger and ambition. He’s obviously doing very well down here, he got his first Group One win the other day so he’s full of confidence.”
