Vauban shows Melbourne Cup 2023 credentials

Owner Rich Ricci and trainer Willie Mullins have some unfinished business in Australia’s most iconic race, the Melbourne Cup.

The pair have finished second and third with Max Dynamite in the Melbourne Cup and sixth with Thomas Hobson and hope to return later this year with impressive Royal Ascot winner Vauban.

Taking out the Copper Horse Handicap (2800m) under Ryan Moore in the early hours of Wednesday morning (Australian time), Vauban showed his Melbourne Cup credentials when he blitzed his rivals.

Australian bookmakers thought highly of the victory and slashed his price from $51 to $11 equal favourite, a line he shares with Goldman and Silver Sonic, for November’s Flemington showpiece in pre-nomination markets.

Vauban, a Listed winner in France as a three-year-old, has spent the last two seasons hurdling since joining Mullins, and both owner and trainer have said the Melbourne Cup is on the agenda.

“I know Willie thinks the world of this horse,” Ricci told At The Races.

“We didn’t quite have it this hurdling season. It’s had to come back but he’s a lovely horse.

“I wonder if Willie was working back from the Melbourne Cup or the Champion Hurdle for this fella, so let’s see him in Melbourne, hopefully.

“The dream’s alive, as we have unfinished business there, second, third and sixth and the second was really (tough).

“It was a good experience (the Melbourne Cup), and I would love to go back and try and win it again.”

Max Dynamite finished second to Prince Of Penzance in the 2015 Melbourne Cup before returning two years later to finish third behind Rekindling with Thomas Hobson in sixth place.

Despite previously having runners at Royal Ascot, Vauban was Ricci’s first winner at the Royal meeting.

Vauban blows them away & gives Ryan Moore a treble on Day 1 at Royal Ascot! ⭐️

Could we see him in Australia for the Melbourne Cup? ? pic.twitter.com/CqxhdujZTZ

— Racing.com (@Racing) June 20, 2023