By MIKE DILLON
Ace New Zealand stayer Oarsman may struggle to get a start in the A$2.5 million Caulfield Cup.
This year's Wellington Cup winner was 30th equal in order of entry when second declarations were taken on Tuesday.
Making the task more difficult is that there are seven other horses on
the 30th-equal spot.
But trainer Paul Duncan is unconcerned.
"He might be all right to get into the race, but if he didn't it wouldn't greatly worry me.
"I was actually considering pulling him out of the Caulfield Cup, but the owners are keen to start and so, too, is Gary [rider Gary Grylls]."
Oarsman is one of the dour stayers whose main mission has always been the 3200m A$4 million Melbourne Cup.
He has had two starts in his Melbourne Cup lead-up in Australia and Duncan says both races have been too short.
Oarsman got back in the field over 2000m at Caulfield on Sunday, when it was difficult for some runners to make ground on the leaders.
"The 2000m has always been short of his best and I knew he couldn't really be in it.
"He pulled up extremely well from the race though - he's further forward than I thought he was."
Oarsman will run over 2500m at Flemington on Saturday week, a race which will see him do something more serious.
"Gary's reasoning that the Caulfield Cup is still a goer is that he says the pace is always very quick in a Caulfield Cup and that helps back runners."
Oarsman will have no trouble making the final field for the Melbourne Cup.
Honor Babe and Distinctly Secret are guaranteed a Caulfield Cup start, being eighth equal and 19th equal in entry.
