The Hunter-based syndication company won the 2014 Melbourne Cup with Andreas Wohler-trained Protectionist and they have again linked with the German horseman to target the race with Ashrun.

The French-bred galloper is 34^th in the order of entry for the 24-horse Melbourne Cup (3200 metres) on November 3 at Flemington.

A weight penalty and spot in the $8 million race could be on offer for the winner of the Geelong Cup, which Ashrun was a $3.80 TAB favourite for on Monday.

Australian Bloodstock director Luke Murrell believed Ashrun would not need to win to make the Melbourne Cup field, where they have the Kris Lees-trained Mustajeer at 12^th in the order.

"I would like to think he will sneak in now, win, loss or draw at Geelong, whereas there's one or two others that need to win and/or get a penalty to get in," Murrell said of Ashrun. "If everything you hear is true, I've got him at about 23, and that should be enough with a couple more races to come.

"He's probably the one to beat [at Geelong], but the Messara horse, Skyward, is quite good as well."

Australian Bloodstock bought Ashrun after his runner-up effort in the group 2 Prix Kergorlay (3000m) at Deauville in France in August. Craig Williams will ride the five-year-old from gate 10 of 11 on Wednesday.

"He can normally settle midfield, or he gets back, so it doesn't really matter," Murrell said. "His grand final is in a couple of weeks."

Australian Bloodstock and Lees also have Collide hunting a Melbourne Cup start. He is 52^nd in the order and will take the last-chance shot in the Hotham Stakes (2500m) on October 31 rather than this Saturday's Moonee Valley Cup.

"That's a win and you're in race, where the Moonee Valley Cup you can win and still not get enough of a penalty, but he's going really good," Murrell said.

He said Mustajeer would continue on but Raheen House's Cup campaign was over after they finished eighth and 16^th respectively in the Caulfield Cup (2400m) last Saturday. Raheen House, which was 28^th in the ballot, could hunt other wet-track options over the spring.

"Mustajeer only got beat four and he's probably on track because we were a run behind," he said.

Meanwhile, Murrell was hoping for a gate between three and six for Mugatoo in the Cox Plate (2040m) draw on Tuesday. Mugatoo, which is unlikely to push on to the Melbourne Cup, was $26 for Saturday's $5 million race.