‘He’s beatable’: Why rivals aren’t running scared of drifting Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban
Vauban, who was on course to start one of the shortest-priced favourites in the modern era, was an easing $4.20 favourite with the New Zealand TAB on Monday after Nick Williams, the son of record-breaking Cup owner Lloyd, described the horse “as good a thing to come out of Europe” as the Cup has seen.
He started Sunday as short as $3.30 with some bookmakers, before Caulfield Cup winner Without A Fight ($6) became the big firmer in the Cup countdown. Without A Fight joined last year’s winner Gold Trip on the second line of betting.
Trainer Willie Mullins has hatched a long-range plan for Vauban to land the master horseman’s first Melbourne Cup, and the men behind his main threat according to the market concede he might be a class above Tuesday’s field (race starts 5pm NZT).
“They’re all beatable and $3 or $4 in a Melbourne Cup, you’d be a braver man than me,” said two-time Cup-winning syndicator Jamie Lovett, whose Australian Bloodstock will rely on Gold Trip, as well as Lastotchka and Ashrun.
“But it won’t shock me if he trots up. He is a high-quality horse, has a world-class trainer that has targeted the race and he gets [jockey] Ryan Moore. There’s not a lot to really pot him on.
“I understand [the hype]. But he won’t be the first horse who comes here and pops on Cup day. That’s what I’m holding out for.”
Vauban has won his last two races – including a demolition of Melbourne Cup rivals Absurde and More Felons during the Royal Ascot carnival earlier this year – and will carry 55.5kg at Flemington with his supporters on good terms when he drew barrier three.
Gold Trip’s co-trainer Ciaron Maher, who will saddle up five runners, said he couldn’t have been more impressed with Vauban after eyeing him at Werribee trackwork.
“I was out there [on Saturday],” Maher said. “Both horses looked in great order and nearly every horse in Willie’s stable would be two-milers or [further]. They’re very good at it. He’ll definitely make his presence felt. But 100 per cent [he’s beatable].”
Hall of Fame trainer Chris Waller, who won his first Melbourne Cup with Verry Elleegant two years ago, admitted his quartet, headed by the quirky Soulcombe, had their work cut out beating Vauban.
“You always look at these international horses and you’re impressed,” he said. “This horse looks a very, very good stayer, but I concentrate on my own horses and they’re trained to run two miles. I have no doubt they will.”
Vauban has been schooled over the jumps, but restricted to flat racing this campaign as his eccentric owner, former investment banker Rich Ricci, tries to atone for Max Dynamite’s second in 2015 and third two years later.
For the second year running, Maher will saddle up the proverbial army with Gold Trip to be joined by Future History ($26), Ashrun ($41), Right You Are ($61) and Interpretation ($101).
“Ashrun has had a big grounding because he hasn’t had a lot of time off,” Maher said. “He’s been in work the whole time really and if you lined them up on the track, Future [History] would go very well.
“His form is great and there’s probably a question over whether he runs a strong two miles. He’s in the same spot as Persan and Floating Artist [in 2021] who are down on the minimum in really good form. You would have to say he’s a chance for sure.”
