Andreas Wohler’s German raider Ashrun is tipped to secure the 11^th hour Melbourne Cup start via a win in Saturday’s 2020 Lexus Hotham Stakes at Flemington.

Brimham Rocks is one of the horses chasing a Melbourne Cup bid in Saturday’s 2020 Lexus Hotham Stakes. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

A key early feature on the Victoria Derby Day race program, the Group 3 $200,000 Lexus Hotham Stakes (2500m) is always highly-anticipated as the winner secure a slot in the 24-horse $8 million Lexus Melbourne Cup field the following Tuesday.

The final make-up of horses in the iconic two-mile showdown can completely change with the Lexus Stakes results, which will be the case this weekend should the favourite Ashrun salute.

The French-bred Authorized entire currently sits 28^th on the Melbourne Cup order of entry and needs to win on the weekend to make the starting line-up in the ‘race that stops a nation’.

Currently right on the cusp of a run in 24^th spot on the ballot is the Willie Mullins-trained mare from Ireland True Self, with her connections sure to be sweating over the Lexus.

Runner-up in the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay over 3000m in France during August, Ashrun debuted in Australia on October 21 in the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m).

He only managed to run fourth to Steel Prince however, but is tipped to atone second-up sitting top of the Lexus Hotham Stakes odds at $4.20 through Ladbrokes.com.au despite going up to the 61kg top weight in the race.

A further three Melbourne Cup hopefuls are under $10 in the Hotham Stakes betting markets including the Robert Hickmott-trained Schabau ($4.40) who is 39^th on the Melbourne Cup ballot following Monday’s third acceptances.

The six-year-old entire has a stellar record at Flemington (6:3-0-1) in easier grade and has come close in his two recent assignments at the track and distance including running fourth to Persan in the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2510m) on October 3.

The early Lexus Stakes market mover backed in from $7.50 to $5.50 is the Paul Preusker-trained Admire Robson, the Japanese-bred galloper to be ridden by big race specialist Glen Boss from barrier four.

A seven-year-old son of Deep Impact, Admire Robson has had just a dozen starts for four wins and four further minor placings, and is out to atone for the midfield seventh in The Bart Cummings that has left him 42^nd on the Melbourne Cup order of entry.

The other best in betting include the Matt Cumani-trained Future Score ($7) and Sound ($8.50) for Michael Moroney who also both require a win to continue a bid towards the Melbourne Cup in 2020.

Click here for the latest Lexus Hotham Stakes 2020 odds on the last of the Melbourne Cup lead-up races courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.

2020 Lexus Hotham Stakes Field & Barrier Draw

Table Credit: Racing Australia.