There has only been one German-trained runner in the Emirates Melbourne Cup during the international growth of the race over the last 20 years but this could change with some interest shown from trainer Andreas Wohler.

 There has only been one German-trained runner in the Emirates Melbourne Cup during the international growth of the race over the last 20 years but this could change with some interest shown from trainer Andreas Wohler.

Wohler's compatriot Andreas Schutz broke new ground when saddling Caitano in first the Sportingbet Cox Plate and then the 2001 Cup, where the experienced traveller finished 13th.

German-breds have increased in popularity among Australian owners and the Anthony Freedman-trained Lucas Cranach made history in 2011 by becoming the first horse from the country to place in the Flemington highlight.

Wohler has not one but two smart stayers at his stables near Gutersloh in North Rhine-Westphalia and is set to run both Altano and Earl Of Tinsdal in the Gold Cup at Ascot (4000 metres) on 20 June.

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Earl Of Tinsdal has won a couple of Group 1s over 2400 metres, including last summer in the Gran Premio Di Milano and was stepped up in distance on his reappearance in the Group 3 Oleander-Rennen at Hoppegarten on 19 May.

He made most of the running that day but was eventually caught by Altano, who was receiving 4lb, and finished just under two lengths third to his older stablemate.

Wohler, who became the first German trainer to have a runner in the Epsom Derby when Chopin was seventh last week, frequently pursues overseas races and has won such far-flung events as the Arlington Million in America and Hong Kong's Queen Elizabeth II Cup (both with Silvano) and the Dubai Duty Free (when Paolini dead-heated).

"Melbourne is a long way away at the moment, but it could be a possibility for both horses," he said.

"I might run both horses in the Gold Cup, and we'll see. Earl Of Tinsdal is a big horse who will improve and it was a good run from him to give the weight away against Altano."

Wohler has another highly capable horse in his care by the name of Novellist, who was second in last year's German Derby before winning an Italian Group 1.

He made a satisfactory reappearance in taking a Group 2 over 2200 metres at Baden-Baden and Wohler says he will run next in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (2400 metres) in France on 23 June.

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