"My goodness was a tough win by Ashrun! Bob of the head decides a #MelbourneCup place," the Herald Sun's Tim Michell wrote.
"Super effort from the winner. Caught the eye previously at Geelong, and trainer Andreas Woehler is a top operator. Must go well on Tuesday if he pulls up ok," ESPN's Andy Withers wrote.
But the horse has picked up a difficult barrier with number 24.
MELBOURNE CUP FIELD
Horse — Barrier — Jockey — Trainer: — Weight
1: Anthony Van Dyck (IRE) — Barrier 3
Jockey: Hugh Bowman — Trainer: Aidan O'Brien — 58.5kg
2: Avilius (GB) — Barrier 10
Jockey: John Allen — Trainer: James Cummings — 57kg
3: Vow and Declare — Barrier 4
Jockey: Jamie Mott — Trainer: Danny O'Brien — 57kg
4: Master of Reality (IRE) — Barrier 11
Jockey: Ben Melham — Trainer: Joseph O'Brien — 56kg
5: Sir Dragonet (IRE) — Barrier 14
Jockey: Glen Boss — Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace — 55.5kg
6: Twilight Payment (IRE) — Barrier 12
Jockey: Jye McNeil — Trainer: Joseph O'Brien — 55.5kg
7: Verry Elleegant (NZ) — Trainer: Barrier 15
Jockey: Mark Zahra — Trainer: Chris Waller — 55.5kg
8: Mustajeer (GB) — Barrier 2
Jockey: Michael Rodd — Trainer: Kris Lees — 55kg
9: Stratum Albion (GB) — Barrier 9
Jockey: Jordan Childs — Trainer: Willie Mullins — 55kg
10: Dashing Willoughby (GB) — Barrier 19
Jockey: Michael Walker — Trainer: Andrew Balding — 54.5kg
11: Finche (GB) — Barrier 6
Jockey: James McDonald — Trainer: Chris Waller — 54.5kg
12: Prince of Arran (GB) — Barrier 1
Jockey: Jamie Kah — Trainer: Charlie Fellowes — 54.5kg
13: Surprise Baby (NZ) — Barrier 7
Jockey: Craig Williams — Trainer: Paul Preusker — 54.5kg
14: King of Leogrance (FR) — Barrier 18
Jockey: Damian Lane — Trainer: Danny O'Brien — 53.5kg
15: Russian Camelot (IRE) — Barrier 16
Jockey: Damien Oliver — Trainer: Danny O'Brien — 53.5kg
16: Steel Prince (IRE) — Barrier 21
Jockey: Willie Pike — Trainer: Anthony & Sam Freedman — 53.5kg
17: The Chosen One (NZ) — Barrier 5
Jockey: Daniel Stackhouse — Trainer: Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman — 53.5kg
18: Ashrun (FR) — Barrier 24
Jockey: Declan Bates — Trainer: Andreas Wohler — 53kg
19: Warning — Barrier 8
Jockey: Luke Currie — Trainer: Anthony & Sam Freedman — 53kg
20: Etah James (NZ) — Barrier 22
Jockey: Billy Egan — Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace — 52.5kg
21: Tiger Moth (IRE) — Barrier 23
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy — Trainer: Aidan O'Brien — 52.5kg
22: Oceanex (NZ) — Barrier 17
Jockey: Dean Yendall — Trainer: Mick Price & Michael Kent — 51.5kg
23: Miami Bound (NZ) — Barrier 13
Jockey: Daniel Moor — Trainer: Danny O'Brien — 51kg
24: Persan — Barrier 20
Jockey: Michael Dee — Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace — 51kg.