Trainer Willie Mullins chasing rare Breeders’ Cup, Melbourne Cup double

Irish training legend Willie Mullins will once again chase Melbourne Cup success, with Absurde returning for another crack at the famous Flemington two-miler on Tuesday.

Mullins arrives in Australia fresh from a breakthrough U.S. success, Ethical Diamond taking out the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Del Mar over the weekend.

Travelling with Mullins is American trainer Bill Mott, who notched his own Breeders’ Cup victory with Scylla and will saddle the first U.S.-trained Cup runner, Parchment Party.

Mullins has pursued Cup glory for over 20 years. His closest result came in 2015, when Max Dynamite stormed home to finish second.

Absurde heads into his third Cup attempt after a pleasing effort in the Caulfield Cup, finishing seventh.

Concerns around his gait midweek were quickly resolved, with travelling foreman David Casey confident throughout.

“I check him after every run and piece of work at home, and I know the way he is,” Casey said.

“It (the inspection) was soon after his piece of work (Thursday) and I knew he would be fine the next morning.

“Thankfully, he was good on Friday and again on Saturday morning and touch wood, I expect everything to be good on Monday.”

Casey added the Caulfield Cup run has brought the horse on perfectly.

“He pulled out of the run very good. I think the race did him the world of good and his work during the week was very good.”

Champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy retains the ride as he aims to join the greats with a fourth Melbourne Cup victory.

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