THE Irish-bred Nathaniel gelding Steel Prince, formerly trained by Patrick Prendergast, has raced his way into this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup reckoning following his win in the 2,800-metre Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. One of the most valuable listed races in the country at A$400,000, the Andrew Ramsden, once the only other 3,200-metre flat at Flemington, for the first time carried a ballot-free entry into the 2019 Melbourne Cup.

“He’s just incredibly tough and he’s incredibly genuine. I don’t think I’ve had a tougher or more genuine horse than him,” said trainer Anthony Freedman as Steel Prince’s throng of owners carried Damien Oliver about on their shoulders after their jock dismounted.