German-trained stayer Ashrun has earned a Melbourne Cup start after winning the Hotham Stakes at Flemington.

German stayer Ashrun has bolstered the international presence in the Melbourne Cup with a make-or-break win at Flemington.

Needing victory in the Hotham Stakes to secure direct entry into Australia's greatest race, Ashrun ($5.50) delivered at the second start of his spring campaign.

In a desperate finish to the Hotham, Ashrun overcame a sluggish start and a slow tempo to nab Sound ($7.50) in the dying stages to win by the barest possible margin.

Ashrun hails from the stable of Andreas Wohler, the trainer who took Protectionist to Melbourne Cup glory in 2014.

"We are so happy and relieved because we were always aiming the horse at the Cup," Wohler said.

"He has taken his last race (at Geelong) really well and hopefully he does the same today."

Ashrun will drop from 61kg on his Hotham win to 53kg in the Melbourne Cup.

If the five-year-old is to do it again on Tuesday, it will be without his Hotham jockey Kerrin Mcevoy.

McEvoy has a long-standing commitment to the Irish-trained Tiger Moth but he rates Ashrun a threat to the favourite.

"He's a lovely stayer ... he's done that without a lot of favours in the run," McEvoy said.

"You can't take him lightly if he lines up on Tuesday. He'll stay the trip and he's got a bit of class about him."