Vauban clears Melbourne Cup hurdle with Ballyroan Stakes win

Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban posted a crucial qualifying win in the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes at Naas. Picture: Getty Images

Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban completed an important task when scoring in a Group 3 contest in Ireland on Monday.

Vauban rocketed to the top of early Melbourne Cup betting after his outstanding win during the Royal Ascot carnival in June but he remained unqualified for Australia's great race.

Vauban took care of that obstacle with his win in the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes at Naas.

Vauban faced seven rivals in the 1m4f (about 2800m) contest in which he strolled to a comfortable 1½-length win.

Jockey Colin Keane gave Vauban a soft trip to the home turn before the five-year-old outsprinted his rivals in the straight to beat the Joseph O'Brien-trained Valiant King.

TAB left Vauban unchanged atop its Melbourne Cup betting at $8 despite his latest success.

Mullins' representative David Casey told the Racing Post the Melbourne Cup was the sole short-term aim for Vauban.

"That ticked a box, which we were here for today. We needed to get placed to qualify for the Melbourne Cup," Casey said.

"Everything was right for him today. There was a bit of ease in the ground and there weren‘t many runners.

"We‘re obviously delighted with what he did."

Casey said the Irish master trainer would decide whether Vauban needed another run before heading to Melbourne in the coming weeks.

The Group 2 Lonsdale Cup at York later this month could be another option.

"He‘s in all those staying races but I don't know whether he'll have another run or go straight there to Melbourne," Casey said.

"Willie will decide that."

Star international jockey Ryan Moore is likely to ride Vauban in the Melbourne Cup.