Vauban unlikely to race before the Melbourne Cup
Willie Mullins, trainer of Melbourne Cup favorite Vauban, has signaled that the talented gelding is unlikely to race again before the prestigious event on the first Tuesday of November.
Vauban secured a spot in the Melbourne Cup after a notable victory in the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes at Naas.
Mullins revealed that jockey Ryan Moore is keen to ride Vauban, and the horse’s connections are supportive of the decision.
“I don’t predict he will want another run… I’d like to go there on what we’ve done now.” Mullins stated on Nick Luck’s podcast.
The dominant nature of Vauban’s recent Ballyroan win caught Mullins by surprise, admitting, “Probably the manner in which he won surprised me.”
The focus now is on preparing Vauban for the Melbourne Cup, with Mullins expressing confidence in the horse’s ability to perform well over the longer 3200-meter distance.
The path to the Melbourne Cup was always in consideration, as Mullins noted, “When we were buying him, we thought he could come back to the flat and be a Melbourne Cup horse.”
More Racing News
Stokes stable confident Deakin is on track for Caulfield Cup
The first-up placing by Deakin at Caulfield might have been a surprise to many, but it was certainly not for trainers Phillip and Tommy Stokes.The imported galloper secured third place at $51 odds in the Heatherlie Stakes over 1700m on August 29 and is scheduled to compete again this Saturday...
Caulfield's Underwood Stakes field to be finalised by Chris Waller
The composition of the Underwood Stakes field at Caulfield is set to be determined by barrier positions and the anticipated pace of the race, according to trainer Chris Waller.Chris Waller has nominated six contenders for the prestigious Group 1 weight-for-age event over 1800 metres scheduled for Saturday. The nominated horses...
Global Goal's ultimate target is the Flight Stakes
Leveraging his considerable expertise in training three-year-old fillies, John Sargent is aiming to give Global Goal her best opportunity for Group One success this Spring.The three-year-old daughter of Pinatubo is set to contest the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes over 1400 metres at Randwick on Saturday. Sargent purposefully elected to...
Planet Red and Sabaj primed for Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes
Mick Price is candid about the challenges facing Sabaj and Planet Red in this Saturday's Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, admitting they require a perfect scenario to triumph, but he is diligently working to provide them the best possible opportunity.The Cranbourne trainer, in partnership with Michael Kent Jnr, has deliberately focused...
Starzintheireyes set for Kingston Town Stakes opportunity
While John O'Shea and Tom Charlton's primary contender for The Metropolitan is out of contention, they are eager for another stable representative to vie for a place in that prestigious race this weekend.The Randwick-based trainers are looking forward to seeing their promising import, Starzintheireyes, gain entry into the $300,000 Group...
International horses headed for Spring Carnival enter quarantine
An update on which international gallopers may feature in Melbourne's Spring Carnival races emerged on Saturday, with seven horses commencing quarantine in the UK and Ireland.The Irish quarantine facility welcomed Joseph O'Brien's quartet: Kizlyar, Omni Man, Small Fry, and Starford, along with Roger Varian's charger Enfjaar. Simultaneously, the Harry Charlton-trained...
Connections delighted with Half Yours' Makybe Diva Stakes effort
With Sheza Alibi cruising to a dominant win by almost three lengths as the $1.60 favourite in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on Saturday, the beaten horses did not feel they had missed a significant chance.However, the team behind Half Yours expressed considerable satisfaction with their charge's performance.The Melbourne...
Barrier draw to dictate Aeliana's next race
Trainer Chris Waller is set to make a decision later this week on whether Aeliana will face off against stablemate Autumn Glow in the 7 Stakes at Randwick, or be redirected to Melbourne for a Group 1 event at Caulfield.The mare is confirmed as an acceptor for both the 7...
Pondalowie claims Let's Elope Stakes in a major upset
After Sheza Alibi's win in the Makybe Diva Stakes seemed to get things back on track following Oliveanotherday's loss in the Bobbie Lewis Quality, Pondalowie then produced the day's significant upset in the Let's Elope Stakes (1400m).Trained by David and Emma-Lee Browne at Pakenham, the Deep Field six-year-old achieved her...
Welcometotheshow delivers Maiden Black Type for Donaldson-Aitken at Flemington
Flemington proved a memorable venue for young Ballarat trainer Tyler Donaldson-Aitken on Makybe Diva Stakes Day 2026, highlighted by a milestone victory with his stable's prominent performer, Welcometotheshow.This tough galloper provided Donaldson-Aitken with his first Black Type win, achieved with his 50th race starter, in the $175,000 Listed Tontonan Stakes...